Conjugated lipomers and uses thereof

ABSTRACT

wherein R3 and R4 are as defined herein. Also provided are compositions comprising the inventive conjugated lipomers, and methods of preparation and use.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of and claims priority under35 U.S.C. § 120 to U.S. application Ser. No. 14/995,842, filed Jan. 14,2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,117,934, which is a continuation of andclaims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to U.S. application Ser. No.13/428,695, filed Mar. 23, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,238,716, whichclaims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. provisional patentapplication, U.S. Ser. No. 61,468,455, filed Mar. 28, 2011, each ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The ability to silence genes via RNA interference (RNAi) was reported byMello and Fire in 1998 (Fire et al., Nature (1998) 391:806-811). Sincethen, scientists have rushed to take advantage of the enormoustherapeutic potential driven by targeted gene knockdown. This isevidenced by the fact that the first report of small interfering RNA(siRNA) mediated RNAi in human beings was reported only twelve yearsafter the phenomenon was described in Caenorhabditis elegans (Davis etal., Nature (2010) 464:1067-1070). Unfortunately, this report representsthe only successful therapeutic application to date. It is wellunderstood that development of genetic drugs is slowed by the inabilityto deliver nucleic acids effectively in vivo. When unprotected, geneticmaterial injected into the bloodstream can be degraded by DNAases andRNAases, or, if not degraded, the genetic material can stimulate animmune response (see, e.g., Whitehead et al., Nature Reviews DrugDiscovery (2009) 8:129-138; Robbins et al., Oligonucleotides (2009)19:89-102). Finally, in-tact siRNA must enter the cytosol, where theantisense strand is incorporated into the RNA-induced silencing complex(RISC) (Whitehead in supra). RISC associates with and degradescomplementary mRNA sequences; this prevents translation of the targetmRNA into protein, “silencing” the gene.

To overcome these barriers, nucleotides have been complexed with a widevariety of delivery systems, including polymers, lipids, inorganicnanoparticles and viruses (see, e.g., Peer et al. Nature Nanotechnology,(2007) 2:751-760). Although it had been used in commercial products forover thirty years, the cationic polymer polyethyleneimine (PEI) wasfirst reported as an effective gene therapy delivery material in 1995(Boussif et al., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of theUnited States of America (1995) 92: 7297-7301). The amino groups of PEIare known to be protonated at physiological pH, facilitatingelectrostatic interactions with the negative phosphate backbone of thenucleotide (see, e.g., Suh et al., Bioorganic Chemistry (1994)22:318-327). Branched PEI (BPEI) is one of the most highly characterizedpolymeric vectors for genetic delivery owing to increased interactionsbetween the branched cation and the relatively linear phosphate backbone(Von Harpe et al., Journal of Controlled Release (2000) 69: 309-322). Inaddition to this stability, BPEI is considered an ideal delivery vectorbecause the primary, secondary and tertiary amino groups have differentpKas, and can therefore accept a large number of protons in the endosomewithout acidifying the membrane. Since acidification is required fornuclease activity that would disassemble the nucleotide, the nucleotideis protected from degradation. Furthermore, the influx of protonscreates a gradient down which ions and water flow, an effect also knownas “the proton sponge”. The endosomal membrane is filled like a balloonuntil it bursts open, releasing genetic material into the cytoplasm. Inthis way, BPEI is able to effectively ferry nucleic acids from theextracellular space into the cytoplasm (see, e.g., Akinc et al., Journalof Gene Medicine (2005) 7: 657-663).

The potential for effective delivery of nucleic acids with PEI hasdriven significant interest in the polymer (see, e.g., Incani et al.,Soft Matter (2010) 6:2124-2138; and Howard, Advanced Drug DeliveryReviews (2009) 61:710-720). However, many authors have reported thatefficacy, molecular weight and toxicity increase together (see, e.g.,Godbey et al., Journal Of Biomedical Materials Research (1999) 45:268-275). For example, it has been reported that a number average molarmass (Mn) of 25,000 BPEI (BPEI_(25,000)) was required for effective DNAdelivery, while Mn 1200 and Mn 600 PEI failed to yield expression in anytrial (Richards-Grayson et al., Pharmaceutical research (2006)23:1868-1876). In that same report, BPEI₈₀₀ DNA transfection wascompared to Mn 22,000 linear PEI (LPEI_(22,000)) and BPEI_(25,000), andthe authors found that while transfection was only seen with theBPEI_(25,000) formulation, BPEI_(25,000) was also found to be morecytotoxic. Regardless, many researchers have utilized BPEI_(25,000) todelivery DNA and siRNA (see, e.g., Alshamsan et al., Biomaterials (2009)31:1420-1428; Kim et al., Bioconj. Chem. (2006) 17:241-244; Kim et al.,J. Controlled Release (2006) 129:107-116; Kwon et al., Bioconj. Chem.(2008) 19:920-927; Jiang et al., Biopolymers (2008) 89:635-642; Creusatet al., Bioconjugate chemistry (2010) 21:994-1002; Bajaj et al.,Bioconjugate chemistry (2008) 19:1640-1651; Furgeson et al.,Pharmaceutical research (2002) 19:382-390; and Furgeson et al.,Bioconjugate Chem (2003)14:840-847). In a recent report, BPEI_(25,000)was conjugated by N-acylation of the PEI to lipid tails and formulatedwith siRNA targeting STAT3, a protein required for tumor progression(Alshamsan et al. Biomaterials (2010) 31:1420-1428). In vitro analysisshowed that the BPEI_(25,000)-C₁₆ conjugate reduced target geneexpression by 50% at 25 nM in vitro and reduced tumor size by 50% at 0.3mg/kg after intra-tumoral injections.

Investigators have sought to abrogate the cytotoxic effects of usingBPEI_(25,000) in a variety of ways. For example, some investigators haveconjugated lower molecular weight PEI segments together viabiodegradable bonds in an effort to provide a new polymer which deliversnucleotides effectively like a BPEI_(25,000), but degrades intonon-toxic constituents (see, e.g., Tarcha et al., Biomaterials (2007)28:3731-3740; Breunig et al., Journal of Controlled Release (2008)130:57-63; and Breunig et al., Proceedings of the National Academy ofSciences of the United States of America (2007) 104:14454-14459). Othershave used BPEI₂₀₀₀ and BPEI₁₈₀₀ to a variety of hydrophobic chemicalgroups in an effort to bolster the molecular weight of the PEI polymerto provide a new polymer without the cytotoxic effects inherent toBPEI_(25,000). In one such report, lipid moieties were conjugated byN-acylation to BPEI₂₀₀₀ (2 kDa PEI) and evaluated for gene delivery(Neamnark, et al. Molecular Pharmaceutics (2009) 6:1798-1815). Theauthors reported that lipid conjugation improved gene delivery, butdoses nearing 100 nM were not effective at transfecting the plasmid. Inanother report, BPEI₁₈₀₀ was conjugated to cholesterol in a molar ratioof cholesterol:BPEI₁₈₀₀ of approximately 1, but the authors required5-15 μM for in vitro knockdown, indicating poor efficacy (see Kim etal., J. Controlled Release (2007) 118:357-363). Still others haveinvestigated poly-siRNA conjugated to BPEI₁₈₀₀ for gene silencing (see,e.g., Lee et al., J. Controlled Release (2010) 141:339-346). However,the prevailing sense in the research community is that use of LPEI forthe delivery of siRNA is still not as effective as use of BPEI, and thatlow molecular weight LPEI and BPEI polymers, i.e., having a numberaverage molar mass (Mn) of ≤2000 (i.e., approximately ≤2 kDa), areinefficient materials for siRNA delivery (see, e.g., Boussif et al.,Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States ofAmerica (1995) 92: 7297-7301; and Philipp et al., Bioconjugate Chem.(2009) 20:2055-2061).

As described above, PEI mediated polynucleotide delivery has beenwell-studied, but, to date, no highly effective in vivo PEI-baseddelivery system has been reported. Thus, there continues to remain aneed to develop a PEI-based polynucleotide delivery system which is asefficient a delivery system as a high molecular weight PEI, but withlittle to no cytotoxicity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides inventive conjugated polyethyleneimine(PEI) polymers and inventive conjugated aza-macrocycles (collectivelyreferred to herein as “conjugated lipomers” or “lipomers”), which areuseful, for example, as polynucleotide delivery systems. The conjugatedpolyethyleneimine polymers are preferably prepared from low molecularweight linear polyethyleneimine (LPEI) and branched polyethyleneimine(BPEI) polymers, i.e., having a number average molar mass (Mn) of ≤2000(i.e., approximately ≤2 kDa).

In one aspect, provided is a conjugated lipomer of the Formula (II):

AL¹_(n)Z   (II)

or salt thereof;wherein:

each instance of L¹ is independently selected from formulae:

provided that at least one L¹ is selected from formulae (iii);

n is an integer of between 3 to 45, inclusive;

each instance of R² is independently hydrogen; acyl; silyl; sulfonyl; anamino protecting group; substituted or unsubstituted alkyl; substitutedor unsubstituted alkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl;substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkynyl; substitutedor unsubstituted carbocyclyl; substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl;substituted or unsubstituted aryl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroaryl; a substituted or unsubstituted polyethyleneimine; or a groupof the formula (iii′):

or the two R² groups are joined to form a substituted or unsubstitutedheterocyclyl;

each instance of R³ is independently substituted or unsubstituted alkyl;substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl; substituted or unsubstitutedalkynyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl; substituted orunsubstituted heteroalkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkynyl;substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclyl; substituted or unsubstitutedheterocyclyl; substituted or unsubstituted aryl; substituted orunsubstituted heteroaryl; or a hydrophilic polymer;

each instance of R⁴ is independently hydrogen, acyl; silyl; a hydroxylprotecting group; substituted or unsubstituted alkyl; substituted orunsubstituted alkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl; substitutedor unsubstituted heteroalkyl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkynyl; substitutedor unsubstituted carbocyclyl; substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl;substituted or unsubstituted aryl; or substituted or unsubstitutedheteroaryl;

A is —N(R⁵)₂, wherein each instance of R⁵ is independently hydrogen;acyl; silyl; sulfonyl; an amino protecting group; substituted orunsubstituted alkyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl; substitutedor unsubstituted alkynyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl;substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkenyl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkynyl; substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclyl; substituted orunsubstituted heterocyclyl; substituted or unsubstituted aryl;substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; or a group of the formula(iii′):

or two R⁵ groups are joined to form a substituted or unsubstitutedheterocyclyl; and

Z is hydrogen; acyl; silyl; sulfonyl; an amino protecting group;substituted or unsubstituted alkyl; substituted or unsubstitutedalkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl; substituted orunsubstituted heteroalkyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkenyl;substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkynyl; substituted or unsubstitutedcarbocyclyl; substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl; substituted orunsubstituted aryl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, or a groupof the formula (iii′):

or Z and the nitrogen atom to which it is attached form a substituted orunsubstituted heterocyclyl group.

In another aspect, provided is a cyclic conjugated lipomer of theFormula (IV):

or salt thereof; wherein:

each instance of L³ is independently selected from:

provided that the cyclic conjugated lipomer contains at least one groupselected from (vi), (vii) or (viii);

each instance of R⁸ is independently hydrogen; acyl; silyl; sulfonyl; anamino protecting group; substituted or unsubstituted alkyl; substitutedor unsubstituted alkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl;substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkynyl; substitutedor unsubstituted carbocyclyl; substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl;substituted or unsubstituted aryl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroaryl; or

provided the conjugated lipomer contains at least one group of theformula (iii′);

each instance of R³ is independently substituted or unsubstituted alkyl;substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl; substituted or unsubstitutedalkynyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl; substituted orunsubstituted heteroalkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkynyl;substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclyl; substituted or unsubstitutedheterocyclyl; substituted or unsubstituted aryl; substituted orunsubstituted heteroaryl; or a hydrophilic polymer;

each instance of R⁴ is independently hydrogen, acyl; silyl; a hydroxylprotecting group; substituted or unsubstituted alkyl; substituted orunsubstituted alkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl; substitutedor unsubstituted heteroalkyl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkynyl; substitutedor unsubstituted carbocyclyl; substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl;substituted or unsubstituted aryl; or substituted or unsubstitutedheteroaryl;

each instance of m and p is independently 0, 1 or 2;

q is an integer selected from 2, 3, or 4; and

the dashed curved line, together with G and Y, is a covalent bond or agroup of the formula:

wherein s is 0, 1, or 2, and R⁸ is as defined herein.

In certain embodiments, the cyclic conjugated lipomer comprises at leastone instance of the group of the formula (vi). In these embodiments, theconjugated lipomer is of the Formula (V), (VI), or (VII):

or salt thereof.

In certain embodiments, the conjugated lipomer comprises at least oneinstance of the group of the formula (vii), (viii), or (ix). In theseembodiments, the conjugated lipomer is of the Formula (VII) or (IX):

or salt thereof.

In yet another aspect, provided are compositions comprising theinventive conjugated lipomers. For example, in certain embodiments,provided is a composition comprising one or more conjugated lipomers ofthe present invention, e.g., a conjugated lipomer of Formula (II) or(IV), and, optionally an excipient. In certain embodiments, thecomposition is a pharmaceutical composition or a cosmetic composition.In certain embodiments, the composition further comprises an agent. Incertain embodiments, the agent is small molecule, organometalliccompound, nucleic acid, protein, peptide, polynucleotide, metal,targeting agent, an isotopically labeled chemical compound, drug,vaccine, immunological agent. In certain embodiments, the agent is apolynucleotide, and the polynucleotide is DNA or RNA. In certainembodiments, the RNA is RNAi, dsRNA, siRNA, shRNA, miRNA, or antisenseRNA. In certain embodiments, the polynucleotide and the one or moreconjugated lipomers are not covalently attached. In certain embodiments,the one or more conjugated lipomers is in the form of a particle. Incertain embodiments, the particle is a nanoparticle or microparticle. Incertain embodiments, the particle encapsulates an agent, e.g., an agentto be delivered.

In yet another aspect, provided are methods of preparation of theinventive conjugated lipomers. For example, in one embodiment, providedis a method of preparing a conjugated lipomer of the Formula (II), orsalt thereof, the method comprising contacting a compound of the Formula(I), or salt thereof, with an epoxide of the formula (xii):

wherein each instance of R¹ is independently selected from hydrogen or agroup of the formula (ii′):

In another embodiment, provided is a method of preparing a cyclicconjugated lipomer of the Formula (IV), or salt thereof, the methodcomprising contacting a compound of the Formula (III), or salt thereof,with an epoxide of the formula (xii):

wherein each instance of L² is independently selected from:

provided that the compound of Formula (III) contains at least one groupselected from (vi), (vii) or (viii); and further provided that thecompound of Formula (III) contains at least one R⁸ group that ishydrogen.

In yet another aspect, provided are screening methods. For example, inone embodiments, provided is a method of screening a library ofconjugated lipomers of the present invention, e.g., conjugated lipomersFormula (II) and/or (IV), the method comprising providing a plurality ofconjugated lipomers; and screening the conjugated lipomers for a desiredproperty, e.g., useful in gene therapy. In certain embodiments, thedesired property includes a property useful for delivery of an agent(e.g., a small molecule, polynucleotide, protein, peptide) to a cell,tissue, organ, or subject. In certain embodiments, the desired propertyis an ability to bind a polynucleotide; increase transfectionefficiency; support cell growth; support cell attachment; support tissuegrowth; or to be soluble in an aqueous solution.

In yet another aspect, provided are methods of use of the inventiveconjugated lipomers for the treatment of diseases, disorders, orconditions. For example, in certain embodiments, provided is a method oftreating cancer comprising administering to a subject in need thereof aneffective amount of an inventive conjugated lipomer, or salt thereof, asdescribed herein.

DEFINITIONS

Definitions of specific functional groups and chemical terms aredescribed in more detail below. The chemical elements are identified inaccordance with the Periodic Table of the Elements, CAS version,Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 75^(th) Ed., inside cover, andspecific functional groups are generally defined as described therein.Additionally, general principles of organic chemistry, as well asspecific functional moieties and reactivity, are described in OrganicChemistry, Thomas Sorrell, University Science Books, Sausalito, 1999;Smith and March March's Advanced Organic Chemistry, 5^(th) Edition, JohnWiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 2001; Larock, Comprehensive OrganicTransformations, VCH Publishers, Inc., New York, 1989; and Carruthers,Some Modern Methods of Organic Synthesis, 3^(rd) Edition, CambridgeUniversity Press, Cambridge, 1987.

Compounds described herein can comprise one or more asymmetric centers,and thus can exist in various isomeric forms, e.g., enantiomers and/ordiastereomers. For example, the compounds described herein can be in theform of an individual enantiomer, diastereomer or geometric isomer, orcan be in the form of a mixture of stereoisomers, including racemicmixtures and mixtures enriched in one or more stereoisomer. Isomers canbe isolated from mixtures by methods known to those skilled in the art,including chiral high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and theformation and crystallization of chiral salts; or preferred isomers canbe prepared by asymmetric syntheses. See, for example, Jacques et al.,Enantiomers, Racemates and Resolutions (Wiley Interscience, New York,1981); Wilen et al., Tetrahedron 33:2725 (1977); Eliel, E. L.Stereochemistry of Carbon Compounds (McGraw-Hill, NY, 1962); and Wilen,S. H. Tables of Resolving Agents and Optical Resolutions p. 268 (E. L.Eliel, Ed., Univ. of Notre Dame Press, Notre Dame, Ind. 1972). Theinvention additionally encompasses compounds as individual isomerssubstantially free of other isomers, and alternatively, as mixtures ofvarious isomers.

When a range of values is listed, it is intended to encompass each valueand sub-range within the range. For example “C₁₋₆ alkyl” is intended toencompass, C₁, C₂, C₃, C₅, C₆, C₁₋₆, C₁₋₅, C₁₋₄, C₁₋₃, C₁₋₂, C₂₋₆, C₂₋₅,C₂₋₄, C₂₋₃, C₃₋₆, C₃₋₅, C₃₋₄, C₄₋₆, C₄₋₅, and C₅₋₆ alkyl.

As used herein, “alkyl” refers to a radical of a straight-chain orbranched saturated hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 50 carbon atoms(“C₁₋₅₀ alkyl”). In some embodiments, an alkyl group has 1 to 40 carbonatoms (“C₁₋₄₀ alkyl”). In some embodiments, an alkyl group has 1 to 30carbon atoms (“C₁₋₃₀ alkyl”). In some embodiments, an alkyl group has 1to 20 carbon atoms (“C₁₋₂₀ alkyl”). In some embodiments, an alkyl grouphas 1 to 20 carbon atoms (“C₁₋₁₀ alkyl”). In some embodiments, an alkylgroup has 1 to 9 carbon atoms (“C₁₋₉ alkyl”). In some embodiments, analkyl group has 1 to 8 carbon atoms (“C₁₋₈ alkyl”). In some embodiments,an alkyl group has 1 to 7 carbon atoms (“C₁₋₇ alkyl”). In someembodiments, an alkyl group has 1 to 6 carbon atoms (“C₁₋₆ alkyl”). Insome embodiments, an alkyl group has 1 to 5 carbon atoms (“C₁₋₅ alkyl”).In some embodiments, an alkyl group has 1 to 4 carbon atoms (“C₁₋₄alkyl”). In some embodiments, an alkyl group has 1 to 3 carbon atoms(“C₁₋₃ alkyl”). In some embodiments, an alkyl group has 1 to 2 carbonatoms (“C₁₋₂ alkyl”). In some embodiments, an alkyl group has 1 carbonatom (“C₁ alkyl”). In some embodiments, an alkyl group has 2 to 6 carbonatoms (“C₂₋₆ alkyl”). Examples of C₁₋₆ alkyl groups include methyl (C₁),ethyl (C₂), n-propyl (C₃), isopropyl (C₃), n-butyl (C₄), tert-butyl(C₄), sec-butyl (C₄), iso-butyl (C₄), n-pentyl (C₅), 3-pentanyl (C₅),amyl (C₅), neopentyl (C₅), 3-methyl-2-butanyl (C₅), tertiary amyl (C₅),and n-hexyl (C₆). Additional examples of alkyl groups include n-heptyl(C₇), n-octyl (C₈) and the like. Unless otherwise specified, eachinstance of an alkyl group is independently unsubstituted (an“unsubstituted alkyl”) or substituted (a “substituted alkyl”) with oneor more substituents. In certain embodiments, the alkyl group is anunsubstituted C₁₋₅₀ alkyl. In certain embodiments, the alkyl group is asubstituted C₁₋₅₀ alkyl.

The term “heteroalkyl,” as used herein, refers to an alkyl group, asdefined herein, which further comprises 1 or more (e.g., 1 to 25)heteroatoms (e.g., oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, boron, silicon, phosphorus)included in the parent chain. In certain embodiments, the heteroalkylgroup is an unsubstituted C₁₋₅₀ heteroalkyl. In certain embodiments, theheteroalkyl group is a substituted C₁₋₅₀ heteroalkyl.

As used herein, “alkenyl” refers to a radical of a straight-chain orbranched hydrocarbon group having from 2 to 50 carbon atoms and one ormore carbon-carbon double bonds (“C₂₋₅₀ alkenyl”). In some embodiments,an alkenyl group has 2 to 40 carbon atoms (“C₂₋₄₀ alkenyl”). In someembodiments, an alkenyl group has 2 to 30 carbon atoms (“C₂₋₃₀alkenyl”). In some embodiments, an alkenyl group has 2 to 20 carbonatoms (“C₂₋₂₀ alkenyl”). In some embodiments, an alkenyl group has 2 to10 carbon atoms (“C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl”). In some embodiments, an alkenyl grouphas 2 to 9 carbon atoms (“C₂₋₉ alkenyl”). In some embodiments, analkenyl group has 2 to 8 carbon atoms (“C₂₋₈ alkenyl”). In someembodiments, an alkenyl group has 2 to 7 carbon atoms (“C₂₋₇ alkenyl”).In some embodiments, an alkenyl group has 2 to 6 carbon atoms (“C₂₋₆alkenyl”). In some embodiments, an alkenyl group has 2 to 5 carbon atoms(“C₂₋₅ alkenyl”). In some embodiments, an alkenyl group has 2 to 4carbon atoms (“C₂₋₄ alkenyl”). In some embodiments, an alkenyl group has2 to 3 carbon atoms (“C₂₋₃ alkenyl”). In some embodiments, an alkenylgroup has 2 carbon atoms (“C₂ alkenyl”). The one or more carbon-carbondouble bonds can be internal (such as in 2-butenyl) or terminal (such asin 1-butenyl). Examples of C₂₋₄ alkenyl groups include ethenyl (C₂),1-propenyl (C₃), 2-propenyl (C₃), 1-butenyl (C₄), 2-butenyl (C₄),butadienyl (C₄), and the like. Examples of C₂₋₆ alkenyl groups includethe aforementioned C₂₋₄ alkenyl groups as well as pentenyl (C₅),pentadienyl (C₅), hexenyl (C₆), and the like. Additional examples ofalkenyl include heptenyl (C₇), octenyl (C₈), octatrienyl (C₈), and thelike. Unless otherwise specified, each instance of an alkenyl group isindependently unsubstituted (an “unsubstituted alkenyl”) or substituted(a “substituted alkenyl”) with one or more substituents. In certainembodiments, the alkenyl group is an unsubstituted C₂₋₅₀ alkenyl. Incertain embodiments, the alkenyl group is a substituted C₂₋₅₀ alkenyl.

The term “heteroalkenyl,” as used herein, refers to an alkenyl group, asdefined herein, which further comprises 1 or more (e.g., 1 to 25)heteroatoms (e.g., oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, boron, silicon, phosphorus)included in the parent chain. In certain embodiments, the heteroalkenylgroup is an unsubstituted C₂₋₅₀ heteroalkenyl. In certain embodiments,the heteroalkenyl group is a substituted C₂₋₅₀ heteroalkenyl.

As used herein, “alkynyl” refers to a radical of a straight-chain orbranched hydrocarbon group having from 2 to 50 carbon atoms and one ormore carbon-carbon triple bonds (“C₂₋₅₀ alkynyl”). In some embodiments,an alkynyl group has 2 to 40 carbon atoms (“C₂₋₄₀ alkynyl”). In someembodiments, an alkynyl group has 2 to 30 carbon atoms (“C₂₋₃₀alkynyl”). In some embodiments, an alkynyl group has 2 to 20 carbonatoms (“C₂₋₂₀ alkynyl”). In some embodiments, an alkynyl group has 2 to10 carbon atoms (“C₂₋₁₀ alkynyl”). In some embodiments, an alkynyl grouphas 2 to 9 carbon atoms (“C₂₋₉ alkynyl”). In some embodiments, analkynyl group has 2 to 8 carbon atoms (“C₂₋₈ alkynyl”). In someembodiments, an alkynyl group has 2 to 7 carbon atoms (“C₂₋₇ alkynyl”).In some embodiments, an alkynyl group has 2 to 6 carbon atoms (“C₂₋₆alkynyl”). In some embodiments, an alkynyl group has 2 to 5 carbon atoms(“C₂₋₅ alkynyl”). In some embodiments, an alkynyl group has 2 to 4carbon atoms (“C₂₋₄ alkynyl”). In some embodiments, an alkynyl group has2 to 3 carbon atoms (“C₂₋₃ alkynyl”). In some embodiments, an alkynylgroup has 2 carbon atoms (“C₂ alkynyl”). The one or more carbon-carbontriple bonds can be internal (such as in 2-butynyl) or terminal (such asin 1-butynyl). Examples of C₂₋₄ alkynyl groups include, withoutlimitation, ethynyl (C₂), 1-propynyl (C₃), 2-propynyl (C₃), 1-butynyl(C₄), 2-butynyl (C₄), and the like. Examples of C₂₋₆ alkenyl groupsinclude the aforementioned C₂₋₄ alkynyl groups as well as pentynyl (C₅),hexynyl (C₆), and the like. Additional examples of alkynyl includeheptynyl (C₇), octynyl (C₈), and the like. Unless otherwise specified,each instance of an alkynyl group is independently unsubstituted (an“unsubstituted alkynyl”) or substituted (a “substituted alkynyl”) withone or more substituents. In certain embodiments, the alkynyl group isan unsubstituted C₂₋₅₀ alkynyl. In certain embodiments, the alkynylgroup is a substituted C₂₋₅₀ alkynyl.

The term “heteroalkynyl,” as used herein, refers to an alkynyl group, asdefined herein, which further comprises 1 or more (e.g., 1 to 25)heteroatoms (e.g., oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, boron, silicon, phosphorus)included in the parent chain. In certain embodiments, the heteroalkynylgroup is an unsubstituted C₂₋₅₀ heteroalkynyl. In certain embodiments,the heteroalkynyl group is a substituted C₂₋₅₀ heteroalkynyl.

As used herein, “carbocyclyl” refers to a radical of a nonaromaticcyclic hydrocarbon group having from 3 to 10 ring carbon atoms (“C₃₋₁₀carbocyclyl”) and zero heteroatoms in the nonaromatic ring system. Insome embodiments, a carbocyclyl group has 3 to 8 ring carbon atoms(“C₃₋₈ carbocyclyl”). In some embodiments, a carbocyclyl group has 3 to6 ring carbon atoms (“C₃₋₆ carbocyclyl”). In some embodiments, acarbocyclyl group has 3 to 6 ring carbon atoms (“C₃₋₆ carbocyclyl”). Insome embodiments, a carbocyclyl group has 5 to 10 ring carbon atoms(“C₅₋₁₀ carbocyclyl”). Exemplary C₃₋₆ carbocyclyl groups include,without limitation, cyclopropyl (C₃), cyclopropenyl (C₃), cyclobutyl(C₄), cyclobutenyl (C₄), cyclopentyl (C₅), cyclopentenyl (C₅),cyclohexyl (C₆), cyclohexenyl (C₆), cyclohexadienyl (C₆), and the like.Exemplary C₃₋₈ carbocyclyl groups include, without limitation, theaforementioned C₃₋₆ carbocyclyl groups as well as cycloheptyl (C₇),cycloheptenyl (C₇), cycloheptadienyl (C₇), cycloheptatrienyl (C₇),cyclooctyl (C₈), cyclooctenyl (C₈), bicyclo[2.2.1]heptanyl (C₇),bicyclo[2.2.2]octanyl (C₈), and the like. Exemplary C₃₋₁₀ carbocyclylgroups include, without limitation, the aforementioned C₃₋₈ carbocyclylgroups as well as cyclononyl (C₉), cyclononenyl (C₉), cyclodecyl (C₁₀),cyclodecenyl (C₁₀), octahydro-1H-indenyl (C₉), decahydronaphthalenyl(C₁₀), spiro[4.5]decanyl (C₁₀), and the like. As the foregoing examplesillustrate, in certain embodiments, the carbocyclyl group is eithermonocyclic (“monocyclic carbocyclyl”) or polycyclic (e.g., containing afused, bridged or spiro ring system such as a bicyclic system (“bicycliccarbocyclyl”) or tricyclic system (“tricyclic carbocyclyl”)) and can besaturated or can contain one or more carbon-carbon double or triplebonds. “Carbocyclyl” also includes ring systems wherein the carbocyclylring, as defined above, is fused with one or more aryl or heteroarylgroups wherein the point of attachment is on the carbocyclyl ring, andin such instances, the number of carbons continue to designate thenumber of carbons in the carbocyclic ring system. Unless otherwisespecified, each instance of a carbocyclyl group is independentlyunsubstituted (an “unsubstituted carbocyclyl”) or substituted (a“substituted carbocyclyl”) with one or more substituents. In certainembodiments, the carbocyclyl group is an unsubstituted C₃₋₁₀carbocyclyl. In certain embodiments, the carbocyclyl group is asubstituted C₃₋₁₀ carbocyclyl.

In some embodiments, “carbocyclyl” is a monocyclic, saturatedcarbocyclyl group having from 3 to 10 ring carbon atoms (“C₃₋₁₀cycloalkyl”). In some embodiments, a cycloalkyl group has 3 to 8 ringcarbon atoms (“C₃₋₈ cycloalkyl”). In some embodiments, a cycloalkylgroup has 3 to 6 ring carbon atoms (“C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl”). In someembodiments, a cycloalkyl group has 5 to 6 ring carbon atoms (“C₅₋₆cycloalkyl”). In some embodiments, a cycloalkyl group has 5 to 10 ringcarbon atoms (“C₅₋₁₀ cycloalkyl”). Examples of C₅₋₆ cycloalkyl groupsinclude cyclopentyl (C₅) and cyclohexyl (C₅). Examples of C₃₋₆cycloalkyl groups include the aforementioned C₅₋₆ cycloalkyl groups aswell as cyclopropyl (C₃) and cyclobutyl (C₄). Examples of C₃₋₈cycloalkyl groups include the aforementioned C₃₋₆ cycloalkyl groups aswell as cycloheptyl (C₇) and cyclooctyl (C₈). Unless otherwisespecified, each instance of a cycloalkyl group is independentlyunsubstituted (an “unsubstituted cycloalkyl”) or substituted (a“substituted cycloalkyl”) with one or more substituents. In certainembodiments, the cycloalkyl group is an unsubstituted C₃₋₁₀ cycloalkyl.In certain embodiments, the cycloalkyl group is a substituted C₃₋₁₀cycloalkyl.

As used herein, “heterocyclyl” refers to a radical of a 3- to14-membered non aromatic ring system having ring carbon atoms and 1 to 4ring heteroatoms, wherein each heteroatom is independently selected fromnitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur (“3-14 membered heterocyclyl”). Inheterocyclyl groups that contain one or more nitrogen atoms, the pointof attachment can be a carbon or nitrogen atom, as valency permits. Aheterocyclyl group can either be monocyclic (“monocyclic heterocyclyl”)or polycyclic (e.g., a fused, bridged or spiro ring system such as abicyclic system (“bicyclic heterocyclyl”) or tricyclic system(“tricyclic heterocyclyl”)), and can be saturated or can contain one ormore carbon-carbon double or triple bonds. Heterocyclyl polycyclic ringsystems can include one or more heteroatoms in one or both rings.“Heterocyclyl” also includes ring systems wherein the heterocyclyl ring,as defined above, is fused with one or more carbocyclyl groups whereinthe point of attachment is either on the carbocyclyl or heterocyclylring, or ring systems wherein the heterocyclyl ring, as defined above,is fused with one or more aryl or heteroaryl groups, wherein the pointof attachment is on the heterocyclyl ring, and in such instances, thenumber of ring members continue to designate the number of ring membersin the heterocyclyl ring system. Unless otherwise specified, eachinstance of heterocyclyl is independently unsubstituted (an“unsubstituted heterocyclyl”) or substituted (a “substitutedheterocyclyl”) with one or more substituents. In certain embodiments,the heterocyclyl group is an unsubstituted 3-14 membered heterocyclyl.In certain embodiments, the heterocyclyl group is a substituted 3-14membered heterocyclyl.

In some embodiments, a heterocyclyl group is a 5-10 membered nonaromaticring system having ring carbon atoms and 1-4 ring heteroatoms, whereineach heteroatom is independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, andsulfur (“5-10 membered heterocyclyl”). In some embodiments, aheterocyclyl group is a 5-8 membered nonaromatic ring system having ringcarbon atoms and 1-4 ring heteroatoms, wherein each heteroatom isindependently selected from nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur (“5-8 memberedheterocyclyl”). In some embodiments, a heterocyclyl group is a 5-6membered nonaromatic ring system having ring carbon atoms and 1-4 ringheteroatoms, wherein each heteroatom is independently selected fromnitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur (“5-6 membered heterocyclyl”). In someembodiments, the 5-6 membered heterocyclyl has 1-3 ring heteroatomsselected from nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur. In some embodiments, the 5-6membered heterocyclyl has 1-2 ring heteroatoms selected from nitrogen,oxygen, and sulfur. In some embodiments, the 5-6 membered heterocyclylhas 1 ring heteroatom selected from nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur.

Exemplary 3-membered heterocyclyl groups containing 1 heteroatominclude, without limitation, azirdinyl, oxiranyl, thiorenyl. Exemplary4-membered heterocyclyl groups containing 1 heteroatom include, withoutlimitation, azetidinyl, oxetanyl and thietanyl. Exemplary 5-memberedheterocyclyl groups containing 1 heteroatom include, without limitation,tetrahydrofuranyl, dihydrofuranyl, tetrahydrothiophenyl,dihydrothiophenyl, pyrrolidinyl, dihydropyrrolyl and pyrrolyl-2,5-dione.Exemplary 5-membered heterocyclyl groups containing 2 heteroatomsinclude, without limitation, dioxolanyl, oxathiolanyl and dithiolanyl.Exemplary 5-membered heterocyclyl groups containing 3 heteroatomsinclude, without limitation, triazolinyl, oxadiazolinyl, andthiadiazolinyl. Exemplary 6-membered heterocyclyl groups containing 1heteroatom include, without limitation, piperidinyl, tetrahydropyranyl,dihydropyridinyl, and thianyl. Exemplary 6-membered heterocyclyl groupscontaining 2 heteroatoms include, without limitation, piperazinyl,morpholinyl, dithianyl, dioxanyl. Exemplary 6-membered heterocyclylgroups containing 2 heteroatoms include, without limitation,triazinanyl. Exemplary 7-membered heterocyclyl groups containing 1heteroatom include, without limitation, azepanyl, oxepanyl andthiepanyl. Exemplary 8-membered heterocyclyl groups containing 1heteroatom include, without limitation, azocanyl, oxecanyl andthiocanyl. Exemplary bicyclic heterocyclyl groups include, withoutlimitation, indolinyl, isoindolinyl, dihydrobenzofuranyl,dihydrobenzothienyl, tetrahydrobenzothienyl, tetrahydrobenzofuranyl,tetrahydroindolyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, tetrahydroisoquinolinyl,decahydroquinolinyl, decahydroisoquinolinyl, octahydrochromenyl,octahydroisochromenyl, decahydronaphthyridinyl,decahydro-1,8-naphthyridinyl, octahydropyrrolo[3,2-b]pyrrole, indolinyl,phthalimidyl, naphthalimidyl, chromanyl, chromenyl,1H-benzo[e][1,4]diazepinyl, 1,4,5,7-tetrahydropyrano[3,4-b]pyrrolyl,5,6-dihydro-4H-furo[3,2-b]pyrrolyl, 6,7-dihydro-5H-furo[3,2-b]pyranyl,5,7-dihydro-4H-thieno[2,3-c]pyranyl,2,3-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridinyl, 2,3-dihydrofuro[2,3-b]pyridinyl,4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridinyl,4,5,6,7-tetrahydrofuro[3,2-c]pyridinyl,4,5,6,7-tetrahydrothieno[3,2-b]pyridinyl,1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,6-naphthyridinyl, and the like.

As used herein, “aryl” refers to a radical of a monocyclic or polycyclic(e.g., bicyclic or tricyclic) 4n+2 aromatic ring system (e.g., having 6,10, or 14 π electrons shared in a cyclic array) having 6-14 ring carbonatoms and zero heteroatoms provided in the aromatic ring system (“C₆₋₁₄aryl”). In some embodiments, an aryl group has 6 ring carbon atoms (“C₆aryl”; e.g., phenyl). In some embodiments, an aryl group has 10 ringcarbon atoms (“C₁₀ aryl”; e.g., naphthyl such as 1-naphthyl and2-naphthyl). In some embodiments, an aryl group has 14 ring carbon atoms(“C₁₄ aryl”; e.g., anthracyl). “Aryl” also includes ring systems whereinthe aryl ring, as defined above, is fused with one or more carbocyclylor heterocyclyl groups wherein the radical or point of attachment is onthe aryl ring, and in such instances, the number of carbon atomscontinue to designate the number of carbon atoms in the aryl ringsystem. Unless otherwise specified, each instance of an aryl group isindependently unsubstituted (an “unsubstituted aryl”) or substituted (a“substituted aryl”) with one or more substituents. In certainembodiments, the aryl group is an unsubstituted C₆₋₁₄ aryl. In certainembodiments, the aryl group is a substituted C₆₋₁₄ aryl.

As used herein, “heteroaryl” refers to a radical of a 5-14 memberedmonocyclic or polycyclic (e.g., bicyclic or tricyclic) 4n+2 aromaticring system (e.g., having 6, 10, or 14 π electrons shared in a cyclicarray) having ring carbon atoms and 1-4 ring heteroatoms provided in thearomatic ring system, wherein each heteroatom is independently selectedfrom nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur (“5-14 membered heteroaryl”). Inheteroaryl groups that contain one or more nitrogen atoms, the point ofattachment can be a carbon or nitrogen atom, as valency permits.Heteroaryl polycyclic ring systems can include one or more heteroatomsin one or both rings. “Heteroaryl” includes ring systems wherein theheteroaryl ring, as defined above, is fused with one or more carbocyclylor heterocyclyl groups wherein the point of attachment is on theheteroaryl ring, and in such instances, the number of ring memberscontinue to designate the number of ring members in the heteroaryl ringsystem. “Heteroaryl” also includes ring systems wherein the heteroarylring, as defined above, is fused with one or more aryl groups whereinthe point of attachment is either on the aryl or heteroaryl ring, and insuch instances, the number of ring members designates the number of ringmembers in the fused polycyclic (aryl/heteroaryl) ring system.Polycyclic heteroaryl groups wherein one ring does not contain aheteroatom (e.g., indolyl, quinolinyl, carbazolyl, and the like) thepoint of attachment can be on either ring, i.e., either the ring bearinga heteroatom (e.g., 2-indolyl) or the ring that does not contain aheteroatom (e.g., 5-indolyl).

In some embodiments, a heteroaryl group is a 5-10 membered aromatic ringsystem having ring carbon atoms and 1-4 ring heteroatoms provided in thearomatic ring system, wherein each heteroatom is independently selectedfrom nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur (“5-10 membered heteroaryl”). In someembodiments, a heteroaryl group is a 5-8 membered aromatic ring systemhaving ring carbon atoms and 1-4 ring heteroatoms provided in thearomatic ring system, wherein each heteroatom is independently selectedfrom nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur (“5-8 membered heteroaryl”). In someembodiments, a heteroaryl group is a 5-6 membered aromatic ring systemhaving ring carbon atoms and 1-4 ring heteroatoms provided in thearomatic ring system, wherein each heteroatom is independently selectedfrom nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur (“5-6 membered heteroaryl”). In someembodiments, the 5-6 membered heteroaryl has 1-3 ring heteroatomsselected from nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur. In some embodiments, the 5-6membered heteroaryl has 1-2 ring heteroatoms selected from nitrogen,oxygen, and sulfur. In some embodiments, the 5-6 membered heteroaryl has1 ring heteroatom selected from nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur. Unlessotherwise specified, each instance of a heteroaryl group isindependently unsubstituted (an “unsubstituted heteroaryl”) orsubstituted (a “substituted heteroaryl”) with one or more substituents.In certain embodiments, the heteroaryl group is an unsubstituted 5-14membered heteroaryl. In certain embodiments, the heteroaryl group is asubstituted 5-14 membered heteroaryl.

Exemplary 5-membered heteroaryl groups containing 1 heteroatom include,without limitation, pyrrolyl, furanyl and thiophenyl. Exemplary5-membered heteroaryl groups containing 2 heteroatoms include, withoutlimitation, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, andisothiazolyl. Exemplary 5-membered heteroaryl groups containing 3heteroatoms include, without limitation, triazolyl, oxadiazolyl, andthiadiazolyl. Exemplary 5-membered heteroaryl groups containing 4heteroatoms include, without limitation, tetrazolyl. Exemplary6-membered heteroaryl groups containing 1 heteroatom include, withoutlimitation, pyridinyl. Exemplary 6-membered heteroaryl groups containing2 heteroatoms include, without limitation, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, andpyrazinyl. Exemplary 6-membered heteroaryl groups containing 3 or 4heteroatoms include, without limitation, triazinyl and tetrazinyl,respectively. Exemplary 7-membered heteroaryl groups containing 1heteroatom include, without limitation, azepinyl, oxepinyl, andthiepinyl. Exemplary 5,6-bicyclic heteroaryl groups include, withoutlimitation, indolyl, isoindolyl, indazolyl, benzotriazolyl,benzothiophenyl, isobenzothiophenyl, benzofuranyl, benzoisofuranyl,benzimidazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, benzoxadiazolyl,benzthiazolyl, benzisothiazolyl, benzthiadiazolyl, indolizinyl, andpurinyl. Exemplary 6,6-bicyclic heteroaryl groups include, withoutlimitation, naphthyridinyl, pteridinyl, quinolinyl, isoquinolinyl,cinnolinyl, quinoxalinyl, phthalazinyl, and quinazolinyl. Exemplarytricyclic heteroaryl groups include, without limitation,phenanthridinyl, dibenzofuranyl, carbazolyl, acridinyl, phenothiazinyl,phenoxazinyl and phenazinyl.

As used herein, the term “partially unsaturated” refers to a ring moietythat includes at least one double or triple bond. The term “partiallyunsaturated” is intended to encompass rings having multiple sites ofunsaturation, but is not intended to include aromatic groups (e.g., arylor heteroaryl moieties) as herein defined.

Alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkyl, heteroalkenyl, heteroalkynyl,carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, and heteroaryl groups, as definedherein, are optionally substituted. In general, the term “substituted”,whether preceded by the term “optionally” or not, means that at leastone hydrogen present on a group (e.g., a carbon or nitrogen atom) isreplaced with a permissible substituent, e.g., a substituent which uponsubstitution results in a stable compound, e.g., a compound which doesnot spontaneously undergo transformation such as by rearrangement,cyclization, elimination, or other reaction. Unless otherwise indicated,a “substituted” group has a substituent at one or more substitutablepositions of the group, and when more than one position in any givenstructure is substituted, the substituent is either the same ordifferent at each position. The term “substituted” is contemplated toinclude substitution with all permissible substituents of organiccompounds, any of the substituents described herein that results in theformation of a stable compound. The present invention contemplates anyand all such combinations in order to arrive at a stable compound. Forpurposes of this invention, heteroatoms such as nitrogen may havehydrogen substituents and/or any suitable substituent as describedherein which satisfy the valencies of the heteroatoms and results in theformation of a stable moiety.

Exemplary carbon atom substituents include, but are not limited to,halogen, —CN, —NO₂, —N₃, —SO₂H, —SO₃H, —OH, —OR^(aa), —ON(R^(bb))₂,—N(R^(bb))₂, —N(R^(bb))₃ ⁺X⁻, —N(OR^(cc))R^(bb), —SH, —SR^(aa),—SSR^(cc), —C(═O)R^(aa), —CO₂H, —CHO, —C(OR^(cc))₂, —CO₂R^(aa),—OC(═O)R^(aa), —OCO₂R^(aa), —C(═O)N(R^(bb))₂, —OC(═O)N(R^(bb))₂,—NR^(bb)C(═O)R^(aa), —NR^(bb)CO₂R^(aa), —NR^(bb)C(═O)N(R^(bb))₂,—C(═NR^(bb))R^(aa), —C(═NR^(bb))OR^(aa), —OC(═NR^(bb))R^(aa),—OC(═NR^(bb))OR^(aa), —C(═NR^(bb))N(R^(bb))₂, —OC(═NR^(bb))N(R^(bb))₂,—NR^(bb)C(═NR^(bb))N(R^(bb))₂, —C(═O)NR^(bb)SO₂R^(aa),—NR^(bb)SO₂R^(aa), —SO₂N(R^(bb))₂, —SO₂R^(aa), —SO₂OR^(aa), —OSO₂R^(aa),—S(═O)R^(aa), —OS(═O)R^(aa), —Si(R^(aa))₃,—OSi(R^(aa))₃—C(═S)N(R^(bb))₂, —C(═O)SR^(aa), —C(═S)SR^(aa),—SC(═S)SR^(aa), —SC(═O)SR^(aa), —OC(═O)SR^(aa), —SC(═O)OR^(aa),—SC(═O)R^(aa), —P(═O)₂R^(aa), —OP(═O)₂R^(aa), —P(═O)(R^(aa))₂,—OP(═O)(R^(aa))₂, —OP(═O)(OR^(cc))₂, —P(═O)₂N(R^(bb))₂,—OP(═O)₂N(R^(bb))₂, —P(═O)(NR^(bb))₂, —OP(═O)(NR^(bb))₂,—NR^(bb)P(═O)(OR^(cc))₂, —NR^(bb)P(═O)(NR^(bb))₂, —P(R^(cc))₂,—P(R^(cc))₃, —OP(R^(cc))₂, —OP(R^(cc))₃, —B (R^(aa))₂, —B(OR^(cc))₂,—BR^(aa)(OR^(cc)), C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkynyl, C₃₋₁₄carbocyclyl, 3-14 membered heterocyclyl, C₆₋₁₄ aryl, and 5-14 memberedheteroaryl, wherein each alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, carbocyclyl,heterocyclyl, aryl, and heteroaryl is independently substituted with 0,1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 R^(dd) groups;

or two geminal hydrogens on a carbon atom are replaced with the group═O, ═S, ═NN(R^(bb))₂, ═NNR^(bb)C(═O)R^(aa), ═NNR^(bb)C(═O)OR^(aa),═NNR^(bb)S(═O )₂R^(aa), ═NR^(bb), or ═NOR^(cc);

each instance of R^(aa) is, independently, selected from C₁₋₁₀ alkyl,C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkynyl, C₃₋₁₀ carbocyclyl, 3-14 memberedheterocyclyl, C₆₋₁₄ aryl, and 5-14 membered heteroaryl, or two R^(aa)groups are joined to form a 3-14 membered heterocyclyl or 5-14 memberedheteroaryl ring, wherein each alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, carbocyclyl,heterocyclyl, aryl, and heteroaryl is independently substituted with 0,1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 R^(dd) groups;

each instance of R^(bb) is, independently, selected from hydrogen, —OH,—OR^(aa), —N(R^(cc))₂, —CN, —C(═O)R^(aa), —C(═O)N(R^(cc))₂, —CO₂R^(aa),—SO₂R^(aa), —C(═NR^(cc))OR^(aa), —C(═NR^(cc))N(R^(cc))₂, —SO₂N(R^(cc))₂,—SO₂R^(cc), —SO₂OR^(cc), —SOR^(aa), —C(═S)N(R^(cc))₂, —C(═O)SR^(cc),—C(═S)SR^(cc), —P(═O)₂R^(aa), —P(═O)(R^(aa))₂, —P(═O)₂N(R^(cc))₂,—P(═O)(NR^(cc))₂, C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkynyl, C₃₋₁₀carbocyclyl, 3-14 membered heterocyclyl, C₆₋₁₄ aryl, and 5-14 memberedheteroaryl, or two R^(bb) groups are joined to form a 3-14 memberedheterocyclyl or 5-14 membered heteroaryl ring, wherein each alkyl,alkenyl, alkynyl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, and heteroaryl isindependently substituted with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 R^(dd) groups;

each instance of R^(cc) is, independently, selected from hydrogen, C₁₋₁₀alkyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkynyl, C₃₋₁₀ carbocyclyl, 3-14 memberedheterocyclyl,C₆₋₁₄ aryl, and 5-14 membered heteroaryl, or two R^(cc)groups are joined to form a 3-14 membered heterocyclyl or 5-14 memberedheteroaryl ring, wherein each alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, carbocyclyl,heterocyclyl, aryl, and heteroaryl is independently substituted with 0,1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 R^(dd) groups;

each instance of R^(dd) is, independently, selected from halogen, —CN,—NO₂, —N₃, —SO₂H, —SO₃H, —OH, —OR^(ee), —ON(R^(ff))₂, —N(R^(ff))₂,—N(R^(ff))₃ ⁺X⁻, —N(OR^(ee))R^(ff), —SH, —SR^(ee), —SSR^(ee),—C(═O)R^(ee), —CO₂H, —CO₂R^(ee), —OC(═O)R^(ee), OCO₂R^(ee),—C(═O)N(R^(ff))₂, —OC(═O)N(R^(ff))₂, —NR^(ff)C(═O)R^(ee),—NR^(ff)CO₂R^(ee), —NR^(ff)C(═O)N(R^(ff))₂, —C(═NR^(ff))OR^(ee),—OC(═NR^(ff))R^(ee), —OC(═NR^(ff))OR^(ee), —C(═NR^(ff))N(R^(ff))₂,—OC(═NR^(ff))N(R^(ff))₂, —NR^(ff)C(═NR^(ff))N(R^(ff))₂,—NR^(ff)SO₂R^(ee), —SO₂N(R^(ff))₂, —SO₂R^(ee), —SO₂OR^(ee), —OSO₂R^(ee),—S(═O)R^(ee), —Si(R^(ee))₃, —OSi(R^(ee))₃, —C(═S)N(R^(ff))₂,—C(═O)SR^(ee), —C(═S)SR^(ee), —SC(═S)SR^(ee), —P(═O)₂R^(ee),—P(═O)(R^(ee))₂, —OP(═O)(R^(ee))₂, —OP(═O)(OR^(ee))₂, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆perhaloalkyl, C₂-₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₃₋₁₀ carbocyclyl, 3-10membered heterocyclyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl, 5-10 membered heteroaryl, whereineach alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, andheteroaryl is independently substituted with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 R^(gg)groups, or two geminal R^(dd) substituents can be joined to form ═O or═S;

each instance of R^(ee) is, independently, selected from C₁₋₆ alkyl,C₁₋₆ perhaloalkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₃₋₁₀ carbocyclyl, C₆₋₁₀aryl, 3-10 membered heterocyclyl, and 3-10 membered heteroaryl, whereineach alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, andheteroaryl is independently substituted with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 R^(gg)groups;

each instance of R^(ff) is, independently, selected from hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl, C₁₋₆ perhaloalkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl, C₃₋₁₀ carbocyclyl,3-10 membered heterocyclyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl and 5-10 membered heteroaryl, ortwo R^(ff) groups are joined to form a 3-14 membered heterocyclyl or5-14 membered heteroaryl ring, wherein each alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl,carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, and heteroaryl is independentlysubstituted with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 R^(gg) groups; and

each instance of R^(gg) is, independently, halogen, —CN, —NO₂, —N₃,—SO₂H, —SO₃H, —OH, —OC₁₋₆ alkyl, —ON(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₂, —N(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₂,—N(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₃ ⁺X⁻, —NH(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₂ ⁺X⁻, —NH₂(C₁₋₆ alkyl) ⁺X⁻, —NH₃⁺X⁻, —N(OC₁₋₆ alkyl)(C₁₋₆ alkyl), —N(OH)(C₁₋₆ alkyl), —NH(OH), —SH,—SC₁₋₆ alkyl, —SS(C₁₋₆ alkyl), —C(═O)(C₁₋₆ alkyl), —CO₂H, —CO₂(C₁₋₆alkyl), —OC(═O)(C₁₋₆ alkyl), —OCO₂(C₁₋₆ alkyl), —C(═O)NH₂, —C(═O)N(C₁₋₆alkyl)₂, —OC(═O)NH(C₁₋₆ alkyl), —NHC(═O)(C₁₋₆ alkyl), —N(C₁₋₆alkyl)C(═O)(C₁₋₆ alkyl), —NHCO₂(C₁₋₆ alkyl), —NHC(═O)N(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₂,—NHC(═O)NH(C₁₋₆ alkyl), —NHC(═O)NH₂, —C(═NH)O(C₁₋₆ alkyl), —OC(═NH)(C₁-6alkyl), —OC(═NH)OC₁₋₆ alkyl, —C(═NH)N(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₂, —C(═NH)NH(C₁₋₆alkyl), —C(═NH)NH₂, —OC(═NH)N(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₂, —OC(NH)NH(C₁₋₆ alkyl),—OC(NH)NH₂, —NHC(NH)N(C₁-6 alkyl)₂, —NHC(═NH)NH₂, —NHSO₂(C₁₋₆ alkyl),—SO₂N(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₂, —SO₂NH(C₁₋₆ alkyl), —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂C₁₋₆ alkyl,—SO₂OC₁₋₆ alkyl, —OSO₂C₁₋₆ alkyl, —SOC₁₋₆ alkyl, —Si(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₃,—OSi(C₁-6 alkyl)₃—C(═S)N(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₂, C(═S)NH(C₁₋₆ alkyl), C(═S)NH₂,—C(═O)S(C₁₋₆ alkyl), —C(═S)SC₁₋₆ alkyl, —SC(═S)SC₁₋₆ alkyl, —P(═O₂(C₁₋₆alkyl), —P(═O)(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₂, —OP(═O)(C₁₋₆ alkyl)₂, —OP(═O)(OC₁₋₆alkyl)₂, C₁₋₆ alkyl, C₁₋₆ perhaloalkyl, C₂₋₆ alkenyl, C₂₋₆ alkynyl,C₃₋₁₀ carbocyclyl, C₆₋₁₀ aryl, 3-10 membered heterocyclyl, 5-10 memberedheteroaryl; or two geminal R^(gg) substituents can be joined to form ═Oor ═S;

wherein X⁻ is a counterion.

As used herein, the term “hydroxyl” or “hydroxy” refers to the group—OH. The term “substituted hydroxyl” or “substituted hydroxyl,” byextension, refers to a hydroxyl group wherein the oxygen atom directlyattached to the parent molecule is substituted with a group other thanhydrogen, and includes groups selected from —OR^(aa), —ON(R^(bb))₂,—OC(═O)SR^(aa), —OC(═O)R^(aa), —OCO₂R^(aa), —OC(═O)N(R^(bb))₂,—OC(═NR^(bb))R^(aa), —OC(═NR^(bb))OR^(aa), —OC(═NR^(bb))N(R^(bb))₂,—OS(═O)R^(aa), —OSO₂R^(aa), —OSi(R^(aa))₃, —OP(R^(cc))₂, —OP(R^(cc))₃,—OP(═O)₂R^(aa), —OP(═O)(R^(aa))₂, —OP(═O)(OR^(cc))₂, —OP(═O)₂N(R^(bb))₂,and —OP(═O)(NR^(bb))₂, wherein R^(aa), R^(bb), and R^(cc) are as definedherein.

As used herein, the term “thiol” or “thio” refers to the group —SH. Theterm “substituted thiol” or “substituted thio,” by extension, refers toa thiol group wherein the sulfur atom directly attached to the parentmolecule is substituted with a group other than hydrogen, and includesgroups selected from —SR^(aa), —S═SR^(cc), —SC(═S)SR^(aa),—SC(═O)SR^(aa), —SC(═O)OR^(aa), and —SC(═O)R^(aa), wherein R^(aa) andR^(cc) are as defined herein.

As used herein, the term, “amino” refers to the group —NH₂. The term“substituted amino,” by extension, refers to a monosubstituted amino, adisubstituted amino, or a trisubstituted amino, as defined herein.

As used herein, the term “monosubstituted amino” refers to an aminogroup wherein the nitrogen atom directly attached to the parent moleculeis substituted with one hydrogen and one group other than hydrogen, andincludes groups selected from —NH(R^(bb)), —NHC(═O)R^(aa), —NHCO₂R^(aa),—NHC(═O)N(R^(bb))₂, —NHC(═NR^(bb))N(R^(bb))₂, —NHSO₂R^(aa),—NHP(═O)(OR^(cc))₂, and —NHP(═O)(NR^(bb))₂, wherein R^(aa), R^(bb) andR^(cc) are as defined herein, and wherein R^(bb) of the group NH(R^(bb))is not hydrogen.

As used herein, the term “disubstituted amino” refers to an amino groupwherein the nitrogen atom directly attached to the parent molecule issubstituted with two groups other than hydrogen, and includes groupsselected from —N(R^(bb))₂, —NR^(bb)C(═O)R^(aa), —NR^(bb)CO₂R^(aa),—NR^(bb)C(═O)N(R^(bb))₂, —NR^(bb)C(═NR^(bb))N(R^(bb))₂,—NR^(bb)SO₂R^(aa), —NR^(bb)P(═O)(OR^(cc))₂, and —NR^(bb)P(═O)(NR^(bb))₂,wherein R^(aa), R^(bb), and R^(cc) are as defined herein, with theproviso that the nitrogen atom directly attached to the parent moleculeis not substituted with hydrogen.

As used herein, the term “trisubstituted amino” refers to an amino groupwherein the nitrogen atom directly attached to the parent molecule issubstituted with three groups, and includes groups selected from—N(R^(bb))₃ and —N(R^(bb))₃ ⁺X⁻, wherein R^(bb) and X⁻ are as definedherein.

As used herein, the term “sulfonyl” refers to a group selected from—SO₂N(R^(bb))₂, —SO₂R^(aa), and —SO₂OR^(aa), wherein R^(aa)and R^(bb)are as defined herein.

As used herein, the term “sulfinyl” refers to the group —S(═O)R^(aa),wherein R^(aa)is as defined herein.

As used herein, the term “silyl” refers to the group —Si(R^(aa))₃,wherein R^(aa) is as defined herein.

As used herein, the term “acyl” refers a group wherein the carbondirectly attached to the parent molecule is sp² hybridized, and issubstituted with an oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur atom, e.g., a groupselected from ketones (—C(═O)R^(aa)), carboxylic acids (—CO₂H),aldehydes (—CHO), esters (—CO₂R^(aa), —C(═O)SR^(aa), —C(═S)SR^(aa)),amides (—C(═O)N(R^(bb))₂, —C(═O)NR^(bb)SO₂R^(aa), —C(═S)N(R^(bb))₂), andimines (—C(═NR^(bb))R^(aa), —C(═NR^(bb))OR^(aa)),—C(═NR^(bb))N(R^(bb))₂), wherein R^(aa)and R^(bb) are as defined herein.

As used herein, the term “halo” or “halogen” refers to fluorine (fluoro,—F), chlorine (chloro, —Cl), bromine (bromo, —Br), or iodine (iodo, —I).

As used herein, a “counterion” is a negatively charged group associatedwith a positively charged quarternary amine in order to maintainelectronic neutrality. Exemplary counterions include halide ions (e.g.,F⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻), NO₃ ⁻, ClO₄ ⁻, OH⁻, H₂PO₄ ⁻, HSO₄ ⁻, sulfonate ions(e.g., methansulfonate, trifluoromethanesulfonate, p-toluenesulfonate,benzenesulfonate, 10-camphor sulfonate, naphthalene-2-sulfonate,naphthalene-1-sulfonic acid-5-sulfonate, ethan-1-sulfonicacid-2-sulfonate, and the like), and carboxylate ions (e.g., acetate,ethanoate, propanoate, benzoate, glycerate, lactate, tartrate,glycolate, and the like).

Nitrogen atoms can be substituted or unsubstituted as valency permits,and include primary, secondary, tertiary, and quarternary nitrogenatoms. Exemplary nitrogen atom substituents include, but are not limitedto, hydrogen, —OH, —OR^(aa), —N(R^(cc))₂, —CN, —C(═O)R^(aa),—C(═O)N(R^(cc))₂, —CO₂R^(aa), —SO₂R^(aa), —C(═NR^(bb))R^(aa),—C(═NR^(cc))OR^(aa), —C(═NR^(cc))N(R^(cc))₂, —SO₂N(R^(cc))₂, —SO₂R^(cc),—SO₂OR^(cc), —SOR^(aa), —C(═S)N(R^(cc))₂, —C(═O)SR^(cc), —C(═S)SR^(cc),—P(═O)₂R^(aa), —P(═O)(R^(aa))₂, —P(═O)₂N(R^(cc))₂, —P(═O)(NR^(cc))₂,C₁₋₁₀ alkyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkynyl, C₃₋₁₀ carbocyclyl, 3-14membered heterocyclyl, C₆₋₁₄ aryl, and 5-14 membered heteroaryl, or twoR^(cc) groups attached to an N atom are joined to form a 3-14 memberedheterocyclyl or 5-14 membered heteroaryl ring, wherein each alkyl,alkenyl, alkynyl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, and heteroaryl isindependently substituted with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 R^(dd) groups, andwherein R^(aa)R^(bb), R^(cc) and R^(dd) are as defined above.

In certain embodiments, the substituent present on the nitrogen atom isan amino protecting group (also referred to herein as a “nitrogenprotecting group”). Amino protecting groups include, but are not limitedto, —OH, —OR^(aa), —N(R^(cc))₂, —C(═O)R^(aa), —C(═O)N(R^(cc))₂,—CO₂R^(aa), —SO₂R^(aa), —C(═NR^(cc))R^(aa), —C(═NR^(cc))OR^(aa),—C(═NR^(cc))N(R^(cc))₂, —SO₂N(R^(cc))₂, —SO₂R^(cc), —SO₂OR^(cc),—SOR^(aa), —C(═S)N(R^(cc))₂, —C(═O)SR^(cc), —C(═S)SR^(cc), C₁₋₁₀ alkyl(e.g., aralkyl, heteroaralkyl), C₂₋₁₀ alkenyl, C₂₋₁₀ alkynyl, C₃₋₁₀carbocyclyl, 3-14 membered heterocyclyl, C₆₋₁₄ aryl, and 5-14 memberedheteroaryl groups, wherein each alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, carbocyclyl,heterocyclyl, aralkyl, aryl, and heteroaryl is independently substitutedwith 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 R^(dd) groups, and wherein R^(aa), R^(bb),R^(cc) and R^(dd) are as defined herein. Amino protecting groups arewell known in the art and include those described in detail inProtecting Groups in Organic Synthesis, T. W. Greene and P. G. M. Wuts,3 ^(rd) edition, John Wiley & Sons, 1999, incorporated herein byreference.

For example, amino protecting groups such as amide groups (e.g.,—C(═O)R^(aa)) include, but are not limited to, formamide, acetamide,chloroacetamide, trichloroacetamide, trifluoroacetamide,phenylacetamide, 3-phenylpropanamide, picolinamide,3-pyridylcarboxamide, N-benzoylphenylalanyl derivative, benzamide,p-phenylbenzamide, o-nitophenylacetamide, o-nitrophenoxyacetamide,acetoacetamide, (N′-dithiobenzyloxycarbonylamino)acetamide,3-(p-hydroxyphenyl)propanamide, 3-(o-nitrophenyl)propanamide,2-methyl-2-(o-nitrophenoxy)propanamide,2-methyl-2-(o-phenylazophenoxy)propanamide, 4-chlorobutanamide,3-methyl-3-nitrobutanamide, o-nitrocinnamide, N-acetylmethioninederivative, o-nitrobenzamide and o-(benzoyloxymethyl)benzamide.

Amino protecting groups such as carbamate groups (e.g., —C(═O)OR^(aa))include, but are not limited to, methyl carbamate, ethyl carbamante,9-fluorenylmethyl carbamate (Fmoc), 9-(2-sulfo)fluorenylmethylcarbamate, 9-(2,7-dibromo)fluoroenylmethyl carbamate,2,7-di-t-butyl-[9-(10,10-dioxo-10,10,10,10-tetrahydrothioxanthyl)]methylcarbamate (DBD-Tmoc), 4-methoxyphenacyl carbamate (Phenoc),2,2,2-trichloroethyl carbamate (Troc), 2-trimethylsilylethyl carbamate(Teoc), 2-phenylethyl carbamate (hZ), 1-(1-adamantyl)-1-methylethylcarbamate (Adpoc), 1,1-dimethyl-2-haloethyl carbamate,1,1-dimethyl-2,2-dibromoethyl carbamate (DB-t-BOC),1,1-dimethyl-2,2,2-trichloroethyl carbamate (TCBOC),1-methyl-1-(4-biphenylyl)ethyl carbamate (Bpoc),1-(3,5-di-t-butylphenyl)-1-methylethyl carbamate (t-Bumeoc), 2-(2′- and4′-pyridyl)ethyl carbamate (Pyoc), 2-(N,N-dicyclohexylcarboxamido)ethylcarbamate, t-butyl carbamate (BOC), 1-adamantyl carbamate (Adoc), vinylcarbamate (Voc), allyl carbamate (Alloc), 1-isopropylallyl carbamate(Ipaoc), cinnamyl carbamate (Coc), 4-nitrocinnamyl carbamate (Noc),8-quinolyl carbamate, N-hydroxypiperidinyl carbamate, alkyldithiocarbamate, benzyl carbamate (Cbz), p-methoxybenzyl carbamate (Moz),p-nitrobenzyl carbamate, p-bromobenzyl carbamate, p-chlorobenzylcarbamate, 2,4-dichlorobenzyl carbamate, 4-methylsulfinylbenzylcarbamate (Msz), 9-anthrylmethyl carbamate, diphenylmethyl carbamate,2-methylthioethyl carbamate, 2-methylsulfonylethyl carbamate,2-(p-toluenesulfonyl)ethyl carbamate, [2-(1,3-dithianyl)]methylcarbamate (Dmoc), 4-methylthiophenyl carbamate (Mtpc),2,4-dimethylthiophenyl carbamate (Bmpc), 2-phosphonioethyl carbamate(Peoc), 2triphenylphosphonioisopropyl carbamate (Ppoc),1,1-dimethyl-2-cyanoethyl carbamate, m-chloro-p-acyloxybenzyl carbamate,p-(dihydroxyboryl)benzyl carbamate, 5-benzisoxazolylmethyl carbamate,2-(trifluoromethyl)-6-chromonylmethyl carbamate (Tcroc), m-nitrophenylcarbamate, 3,5-dimethoxybenzyl carbamate, o-nitrobenzyl carbamate,3,4-dimethoxy-6-nitrobenzyl carbamate, phenyl(o-nitrophenyl)methylcarbamate, t-amyl carbamate, S-benzyl thiocarbamate, p-cyanobenzylcarbamate, cyclobutyl carbamate, cyclohexyl carbamate, cyclopentylcarbamate, cyclopropylmethyl carbamate, p-decyloxybenzyl carbamate,2,2-dimethoxycarbonylvinyl carbamate, o-(N,N-dimethylcarboxamido)benzylcarbamate, 1,1-dimethyl-3-(N,N-dimethylcarboxamido)propyl carbamate,1,1-dimethylpropynyl carbamate, di(2-pyridyl)methyl carbamate,2-furanylmethyl carbamate, 2-iodoethyl carbamate, isoborynl carbamate,isobutyl carbamate, isonicotinyl carbamate,p-(p′-methoxyphenylazo)benzyl carbamate, 1-methylcyclobutyl carbamate,1-methylcyclohexyl carbamate, 1-methyllcyclopropylmethyl carbamate,1-methyl-1-(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl carbamate,1-methyl-1-(p-phenylazophenyl)ethyl carbamate, 1-methyl-1-phenylethylcarbamate, 1-methyl-1-(4-pyridyl)ethyl carbamate, phenyl carbamate,p-(phenylazo)benzyl carbamate, 2,4,6-tritbutylphenyl carbamate,4-(trimethylammonium)benzyl carbamate, and 2,4,6-trimethylbenzylcarbamate.

Amino protecting groups such as sulfonamide groups (e.g., —S(═O)₂R^(aa))include, but are not limited to, p-toluenesulfonamide (Ts),benzenesulfonamide, 2,3,6,-trimethyl-4-methoxybenzenesulfonamide (Mtr),2,4,6-trimethoxybenzenesulfonamide (Mtb),2,6-dimethyl-4-methoxybenzenesulfonamide (Pme),2,3,5,6-tetramethyl-4-methoxybenzenesulfonamide (Mte),4-methoxybenzenesulfonamide (Mbs), 2,4,6-trimethylbenzenesulfonamide(Mts), 2,6-dimethoxy-4-methylbenzenesulfonamide (iMds),2,2,5,7,8-pentamethylchroman-6-sulfonamide (Pmc), methanesulfonamide(Ms), β-trimethylsilylethanesulfonamide (SES), 9-anthracenesulfonamide,4-(4′,8′-dimethoxynaphthylmethyl)benzenesulfonamide (DNMBS),benzylsulfonamide, trifluoromethylsulfonamide, and phenacylsulfonamide.

Other amino protecting groups include, but are not limited to,phenothiazinyl-(10)-carbonyl derivative,N′-p-toluenesulfonylaminocarbonyl derivative, N′-phenylaminothiocarbonylderivative, N-benzoylphenylalanyl derivative, N-acetylmethioninederivative, 4,5-diphenyl-3-oxazolin-2-one, N-phthalimide,N-dithiasuccinimide (Dts), N-2,3-diphenylmaleimide,N-2,5-dimethylpyrrole, N-1,1,4,4-tetramethyldisilylazacyclopentaneadduct (STABASE), 5-substituted1,3-dimethyl-1,3,5-triazacyclohexan-2-one, 5-substituted1,3-dibenzyl-1,3,5-triazacyclohexan-2-one, 1-substituted3,5-dinitro-4-pyridone, N-methylamine, N-allylamine,N-[2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy]methylamine (SEM), N-3-acetoxypropylamine,N-(1-isopropyl-4-nitro-2-oxo-3-pyroolin-3-yl)amine, quaternary ammoniumsalts, N-benzylamine, N-di(4-methoxyphenyl)methylamine,N-5-dibenzosuberylamine, N-triphenylmethylamine (Tr),N-[(4-methoxyphenyl)diphenylmethyl]amine (MMTr),N-9-phenylfluorenylamine (PhF),N-2,7-dichloro-9-fluorenylmethyleneamine, N-ferrocenylmethylamino (Fcm),N-2-picolylamino N′-oxide, N-1,1-dimethylthiomethyleneamine,N-benzylideneamine, N-p-methoxybenzylideneamine,N-diphenylmethyleneamine, N-[(2-pyridyl)mesityl]methyleneamine,N-(N′,N′-dimethylaminomethylene)amine, N,N′-isopropylidenediamine,N-p-nitrobenzylideneamine, N-salicylideneamine,N-5-chlorosalicylideneamine,N-(5-chloro-2-hydroxyphenyl)phenylmethyleneamine,N-cyclohexylideneamine, N-(5,5-dimethyl-3-oxo-1-cyclohexenyl)amine,N-borane derivative, N-diphenylborinic acid derivative,N-[phenyl(pentacarbonylchromium- or tungsten)carbonyl]amine, N-copperchelate, N-zinc chelate, N-nitroamine, N-nitrosoamine, amine N-oxide,diphenylphosphinamide (Dpp), dimethylthiophosphinamide (Mpt),diphenylthiophosphinamide (Ppt), dialkyl phosphoramidates, dibenzylphosphoramidate, diphenyl phosphoramidate, benzenesulfenamide,onitrobenzenesulfenamide (Nps), 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfenamide,pentachlorobenzenesulfenamide, 2-nitro-4-methoxybenzenesulfenamide,triphenylmethylsulfenamide, and 3-nitropyridinesulfenamide (Npys).

These and other exemplary substituents are described in more detail inthe Detailed Description, the Examples and in the claims. The inventionis not intended to be limited in any manner by the above exemplarylisting of substituents.

As used herein, a “leaving group” is an art-understood term referring toa molecular fragment that departs with a pair of electrons inheterolytic bond cleavage, wherein the molecular fragment is an anion orneutral molecule. See, for example, Smith, March Advanced OrganicChemistry 6th ed. (501-502). Exemplary leaving groups include, but arenot limited to, halo (e.g., chloro, bromo, iodo) and sulfonylsubstituted hydroxyl groups (e.g., tosyl, mesyl, besyl).

As used herein, a “polymer” refers to a compound comprised of at least 3(e.g., at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, etc.) repeatingcovalently bound structural units.

As used herein, an “organic molecule” is a molecule comprising carbon,and encompasses large organic molecules and small organic molecules, asdefined herein. The organic molecule may also comprise a metal. In thisinstance, the organic molecule is also referred to as an “organometalliccompound.”

As used herein, a “small organic molecule” or “small molecule” refers toan organic molecule with a molecular weight of less than 800 g/mol(e.g., less than 700 g/mol, less than 600 g/mol, less than 500 g/mol,less than 400 g/mol, less than 300 g/mol, less than 200 g/mol, less than100 g/mol, between 50 to 800 g/mol, inclusive, between 100 to 800 g/mol,inclusive, or between 100 to 500 g/mol, inclusive). In certainembodiments, the small organic molecule is a therapeutically activeagent such as a drug (e.g., a small organic molecule approved by theU.S. Food and Drug Administration as provided in the Code of FederalRegulations (CFR)). The small organic molecule may also comprise ametal. In this instance, the small organic molecule is also referred toas an “small organometallic molecule.”

As used herein, a “large organic molecule” or “large molecule” refers toan organic compound with a molecular weight of greater than or equal to800 g/mol (e.g., greater than 800 g/mol, greater than 900 g/mol, greaterthan 1000 g/mol, greater than 2000 g/mol, between 800 to 2000 g/mol,inclusive, between 1000 to 2000 g/mol, inclusive, or between 800 to 1000g/mol, inclusive). In certain embodiments, the large organic molecule isa therapeutically active agent such as a drug (e.g., a large organicmolecule approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as providedin the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)).The large organic molecule mayalso comprise a metal. In this instance, the large organic molecule isalso referred to as an “large organometallic compound.”

As used herein, an “inorganic molecule” is a molecule which compriseselements other than carbon, and encompasses large inorganic moleculesand small inorganic molecules, as defined herein. If an inorganicmolecule comprises a transition metal, it is also referred to herein asa “metal.”

As used herein, a “small inorganic molecule” refers to an inorganiccompound with a molecular weight of less than 800 g/mol (e.g., less than700 g/mol, less than 600 g/mol, less than 500 g/mol, less than 400g/mol, less than 300 g/mol, less than 200 g/mol, less than 100 g/mol,between 50 to 800 g/mol, inclusive, between 100 to 800 g/mol, inclusive,or between 100 to 500 g/mol, inclusive). In certain embodiments, thesmall inorganic molecule is a therapeutically active agent such as adrug (e.g., a small inorganic molecule approved by the U.S. Food andDrug Administration as provided in the Code of Federal Regulations(CFR)).

As used herein, a “large inorganic molecule” refers to an inorganiccompound with a molecular weight of greater than or equal to 800 g/mol(e.g., greater than 800 g/mol, greater than 900 g/mol, greater than 1000g/mol, greater than 2000 g/mol, between 800 to 2000 g/mol, inclusive,between 1000 to 2000 g/mol, inclusive, or between 800 to 1000 g/mol,inclusive). In certain embodiments, the large inorganic molecule is atherapeutically active agent such as a drug (e.g., a large inorganicmolecule approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as providedin the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)).

As used herein, the term “salt” or “pharmaceutically acceptable salt”refers to those salts which are, within the scope of sound medicaljudgment, suitable for use in contact with the tissues of humans andlower animals without undue toxicity, irritation, allergic response andthe like, and are commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio.Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are well known in the art. Forexample, S. M. Berge et al., describes pharmaceutically acceptable saltsin detail in J. Pharmaceutical Sciences (1977) 66:1-19. Pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts of the compounds of this invention include thosederived from suitable inorganic and organic acids and bases. Examples ofpharmaceutically acceptable, nontoxic acid addition salts are salts ofan amino group formed with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid,hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid and perchloric acid orwith organic acids such as acetic acid, oxalic acid, maleic acid,tartaric acid, citric acid, succinic acid or malonic acid or by usingother methods used in the art such as ion exchange. Otherpharmaceutically acceptable salts include adipate, alginate, ascorbate,aspartate, benzenesulfonate, benzoate, bisulfate, borate, butyrate,camphorate, camphorsulfonate, citrate, cyclopentanepropionate,digluconate, dodecylsulfate, ethanesulfonate, formate, fumarate,glucoheptonate, glycerophosphate, gluconate, hemisulfate, heptanoate,hexanoate, hydroiodide, 2-hydroxy-ethanesulfonate, lactobionate,lactate, laurate, lauryl sulfate, malate, maleate, malonate,methanesulfonate, 2-naphthalenesulfonate, nicotinate, nitrate, oleate,oxalate, palmitate, pamoate, pectinate, persulfate, 3-phenylpropionate,phosphate, picrate, pivalate, propionate, stearate, succinate, sulfate,tartrate, thiocyanate, p-toluenesulfonate, undecanoate, valerate salts,and the like. Salts derived from appropriate bases include alkali metal,alkaline earth metal, ammonium and N⁺(C₁₋₄alkyl)₄ salts. Representativealkali or alkaline earth metal salts include sodium, lithium, potassium,calcium, magnesium, and the like. Further pharmaceutically acceptablesalts include, when appropriate, nontoxic ammonium, quaternary ammonium,and amine cations formed using counterions such as halide, hydroxide,carboxylate, sulfate, phosphate, nitrate, sulfonate and aryl sulfonate.Further pharmaceutically acceptable salts include salts formed from thequarternization of an amine using an appropriate electrophile, e.g., analkyl halide, to form a quarternized alkylated amino salt.

As used herein, use of the phrase “at least one instance” refers to oneinstance, but also encompasses more than one instance, e.g., forexample, from 1 instance to 50 instances.

“Molar mass averages”: Different average values (e.g., M_(n), M_(w),M_(v) and M_(z)) can be defined depending upon the statistical methodthat is applied. The weighted mean can be taken with the weightfraction, the mole fraction, or the volume fraction (see, e.g., R. J.Young and P. A. Lovell, Introduction to Polymers, 1991, incorporatedherein by reference).

Dispersity (D) M_(w)/M_(n) Number average molar mass (M_(n))$M_{n} = \frac{\Sigma \mspace{11mu} M_{i}N_{i}}{\Sigma \mspace{11mu} N_{i}}$Weight average molar mass (M_(w))$M_{w} = \frac{\Sigma \mspace{11mu} M_{i}^{2}N_{i}}{\Sigma \mspace{11mu} M_{i}N_{i}}$Z average molar mass (M_(z))$M_{z} = \frac{\Sigma \mspace{11mu} M_{i}^{3}N_{i}}{\Sigma \mspace{11mu} M_{i}^{2}N_{i}}$Viscosity average molar mass (M_(v))$M_{v} = \left\lbrack \frac{\Sigma \mspace{11mu} M_{i}^{1 + a}N_{i}}{\Sigma \mspace{11mu} M_{i}N_{i}} \right\rbrack^{1/a}$  wherein “a” is the exponent in the Mark- Houwink equation

“Dispersity”: Dispersity (D) is a measure of the distribution ofmolecular mass in a given polymer sample and is calculated by dividingthe weight average molar mass (M_(w)) by the number average molar mass(M_(n)). The dispersity of a given sample can have a value equal to orgreater than 1. As the polymer chains approach uniform chain length, thedispersity approaches unity (1). The dispersity of a polymer can bemodified, for example, using polymer fractionation (e.g., preparativeSEC, Baker-Williams fractionation, continuous spin fractionation), ormodifying the work-up procedure (e.g., by partially dissolving apolymer, an insoluble high molar mass fraction may be filtered offresulting in a large reduction in M_(w) and a small reduction in M_(n),thus reducing polydispersity).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1U. FIGS. 1A-1R depict PEI and aza-macrocycle precursors (FIG.1A); a general synthetic method for the conjugation of variousepoxide-terminated groups to the precursors (FIG. 1B); exemplaryconjugated LPEI₆₀₀ polymers synthesized according to the present method(FIG. 1C); exemplary conjugated BPEI₁₈₀₀ polymers synthesized accordingto the present method (FIG. 1D); exemplary conjugated aza-macrocyclessynthesized according to the present method (FIGS. 1E-1F); and NMRcharacterization of exemplary conjugated lipomers [FIGS. 1G-1U: ¹H NMR(500 MHz) spectra of 2J1 (FIG. 1G), 3I3 (FIG. 1H), 3I7 (FIG. 1I), 5H7(FIG. 1J), 7C1 (FIG. 1K), 4C4 (FIG. 1L), 4C8 (FIG. 1M), 4D5 (FIG. 1N),4D9 (FIG. 1O), 6B10 (FIG. 1P), 6C1 (FIG. 1Q), 7H4 (FIG. 1R), 7H8 (FIG.1S), 7H10 (FIG. 1T), and 7I1 (FIG. 1U)].

FIGS. 2A-2B demonstrate that non-toxic efficacy increases withlipomer:siRNA mass ratios (MR) up to 15 in HeLa cells. A library of 750compounds was tested, of which a select subset reduced gene expression.FIG. 2A: Target gene expression for 750 lipomers tested at fourdifferent mass ratios at a dosage of 45 ng/well (20 nM). More lipomersreduce gene expression at a mass ratio of 10 and 15 than 5 and 2.5, asindicated by a larger curve “shoulder”. FIG. 2B: Average target(Firefly) and off-target (Renilla) expression for 200 lipomers testedagainst HeLa cells at a dose of 45 ng/well. Target gene expressiondecreases from 78% to 63% as mass ratio increases, while off-targetexpression remains fairly constant, changing from 88% to 86%.

FIG. 3 depicts the gene expression data for seventeen lipomers screenedagainst HeLa, qBEND.3 and HMVEC cells in vitro. The lipomer:siRNA massratio was 15 and siRNA dosing was 30 nM. All lipomers studied reducedgene expression in at least one cell line by 80% at this dose,indicating a high degree of in vitro potency, and driving subsequentinterest for in vivo testing.

FIGS. 4A-4B depict the dose response of lipomers 7C1, 6C1 and 6C8 inqBEND.3 murine endothelial cells. FIG. 4A: Tie2 expression shows a doseresponse profile suggesting an IC₅₀ concentration between 6.0 and 1.5nM, indicating a high degree of in vitro potency. FIG. 4B: Control geneGapDH expression remains constant at all doses, indicative of negligibleoff-target effects.

FIGS. 5A-5B. FIG. 5A depicts the size of lipomers 3i7 and 7H8 during theformulation process. Before siRNA is added, lipomer particle size isstable at pH 5.3. Particle size remains stable after addition of siRNAat low pH. After dialysis to pH 7.4, 3i7 lipomer particle size increaseswhile 7H8 lipomer particle size remains constant. Particle size variedfrom 20 to 130 nm, sizes which are known to increase nanoparticleefficacy (Peeret al. Nature nanotechnology (2007)2: 751-760). FIG. 5B:6C1 diameter measured over a period of 18 hours after formulation withcholesterol and conjugation to siRNA. Consistent lipomer particle sizeindicates that lipomer particles are stable overnight at temperaturesranging from 4° C. to 40° C.

FIG. 6 depicts Factor 7 in vivo expression after tail-vein injection oflipomers 6C1 and 6C8. Lipomers were formulated with cholesterol at alipomer: cholesterol mole ratio of 100:35, but without C16-PEG. 6C1 wastested at two lipomer: siRNA mass ratios, 15:1 and 10:1. As seen duringthe in vitro assays, 15:1 mass ratios resulted in higher knockdown. 6C1reduced gene expression by 64% while 6C8 did not reduced gene expressionin vivo. Importantly, these results indicate that lipomers can deliversiRNA effectively in vivo when delivered systemically.

FIG. 7 depicts the relative expression of Factor 7 after systemic dosingwith 2 mg/kg siRNA. In this study, lipomers were formulated withcholesterol and C₁₆-PEG such that the Lipomer: Cholesterol: PEG molarratio was 100:35:25. The lipomer: siRNA mass ratio was held constant at15:1. Lipomers were then injected via the tail vein, and Factor 7expression was measured 48 hours later. Several lipomers were shown todecrease in vivo Factor 7 expression, suggesting that in vivo successwas not limited to 6C1 and that other lipomer compounds could reducegene expression in vivo.

FIG. 8 depicts in vivo gene expression of Factor 7. Lipomer 7H6 reducedgene expression by 66% systemic injection into mice at a dose of 1.5mg/kg. When 7H6 was combined with a luciferase targeting siRNA, it didnot reduce F7 expression, that the gene expression is reduced by siRNAaction and not toxicity. This lipomer reduced gene expression by 35% inthe study described in FIG. 7.

FIGS. 9A-9B depict the in vivo reduction of tumor gene expression in asubcutaneous tumor model. Mice were injected with luciferase expressingtumor cells subcutaneously and tumors were allowed to grow for twoweeks. Before injection of siRNA, luciferase expression was measured,and used as baseline. FIG. 9A: When dosed systemically 1.5 mg/kg ofsiRNA complexed to lipomer 7H6, luciferase tumor expression was reducedby 51%, indicating that lipomers successfully delivered siRNA into tumorcells. Importantly, the gene expression was reduced after tail veininjection instead of intratumoral injection, since intratumoralinjections have limited clinical relevance (if a clinician can injectinto a tumor, they often can remove it). FIG. 9B: Tumor before and afterinjection with 7H6 targeting luciferase expression. Tumor geneexpression is markedly reduced.

FIGS. 10A-10B depict the biodistribution of three different successfullipomers (7H6, 7I1 and 3i7) evaluated using Cy5.5 labeled siRNA(AllStars Control siRNA, Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.). Mice were injectedwith Cy5.5 siRNA (2.5 mg/kg) via the tail vein and sacrificed 1 or 14hours later. Major organs were harvested and fluorescently imaged toevaluate distribution of Cy5.5 siRNA nanoparticles at 670 (ex. 670 nm,em. 710 nm) using an IVIS imaging system. Lipomers were found in theliver, spleen, kidney lungs and near the injection point. This indicatesthat they may be used for a variety of ailments, both systemic andwithin different organs. Since many siRNA delivery vehicles honeprimarily to the liver, the delivery to lungs and kidneys may presentnew clinical targets.

FIG. 11 depicts particle size before and after conjugation of siRNA at apH of 5.3 (before dialysis). Nanoparticles are kept from aggregating byrepulsive factors including steric and electrostatic forces. Uponconjugation of siRNA, electrostatic forces may be reduced, which canlead to aggregation. However, many particles showed stability even afterconjugation of siRNA. Note that together, FIGS. 11-15 demonstrate thatthe lipomer size, surface charge and chemical composition have beencharacterized. Importantly, different lipomers have different physicalproperties, making them ideal for different types of applications. As anexample, small particles with diameters below 50 nm may be well suitedfor kidney delivery while larger particles may be better for delivery ofgenetic material to the lung.

FIGS. 12A-12B depict particle size (FIG. 12A) and surface charge (FIG.12B) (zeta potential) before and after conjugation of siRNA at pH of5.3, and after dialysis to a pH of 7.4. FIG. 12A: 7H8 size remainedconstant after the addition of siRNA and after extrusion, suggestingthat electrostatic interactions are less important for particlestability. In contrast, 3I7 size was variable, particularly afterdialysis, indicating that this particle could be useful for applicationswhere pH-triggered physical transformations are needed. Both lipomersformed particles under 200 nm, suggesting they would be ideal forbiological applications. FIG. 12B: In both cases, the zeta potential (arough indicator of surface charge) of 7H8 and 3I7 decreased upon theaddition of negatively charged siRNA. It became slightly negative afterdialysis, indicating these particles may have reduced toxicity owing tohigh cationic profiles.

FIGS. 13A-13B demonstrate the effect of lipomer: siRNA mass ratio (mr)on the size (FIG. 13A) and zeta potential (FIG. 13B) of particles beforeand after dialysis. The diameter of 6C1 was found to be constant atmr=10 and 15. The the lipomer: siRNA did not greatly influence size andzeta potential, indicating a high degree of physical stability.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides inventive conjugated polyethyleneiminepolymers and conjugated aza-macrocycles (collectively referred to hereinas “conjugated lipomers” or “lipomers”) containing one or more groups ofthe formula (iii):

wherein R³ and R⁴ are as defined herein.

The conjugated polyethyleneimine polymers are preferably prepared fromlow molecular weight linear polyethyleneimine (LPEI) and branchedpolyethyleneimine (BPEI) polymers, i.e., having a number average molarmass (Mn) of ≤2000 (i.e., approximately ≤2 kDa).

Also provided are compositions comprising the inventive conjugatedlipomers, and methods of preparation and use.

Conjugated Polyethyleneimine Polymers and Preparation Thereof

The present invention provides novel conjugated polyethyleneiminepolymers and methods of their preparation.

In one aspect, provided is a conjugated polyethyleneimine polymer of theFormula (II):

AL¹_(n)Z   (II)

or salt thereof; wherein:

each instance of L¹ is independently selected from formulae:

provided that at least one L¹ is selected from formulae (iii);

n is an integer of between 3 to 45, inclusive;

each instance of R² is independently hydrogen; acyl; silyl; sulfonyl; anamino protecting group; substituted or unsubstituted alkyl; substitutedor unsubstituted alkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl;substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkynyl; substitutedor unsubstituted carbocyclyl; substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl;substituted or unsubstituted aryl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroaryl; a substituted or unsubstituted polyethyleneimine; or a groupof the formula (iii′):

or the two R² groups are joined to form a substituted or unsubstitutedheterocyclyl;

each instance of R³ is independently substituted or unsubstituted alkyl;substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl; substituted or unsubstitutedalkynyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl; substituted orunsubstituted heteroalkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkynyl;substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclyl; substituted or unsubstitutedheterocyclyl; substituted or unsubstituted aryl; substituted orunsubstituted heteroaryl; or a hydrophilic polymer;

each instance of R⁴ is independently hydrogen, acyl; silyl; a hydroxylprotecting group; substituted or unsubstituted alkyl; substituted orunsubstituted alkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl; substitutedor unsubstituted heteroalkyl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkynyl; substitutedor unsubstituted carbocyclyl; substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl;substituted or unsubstituted aryl; or a substituted or unsubstitutedheteroaryl;

A is —N(R⁵)₂, wherein each instance of R⁵ is independently hydrogen;acyl; silyl; sulfonyl; an amino protecting group; substituted orunsubstituted alkyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl; substitutedor unsubstituted alkynyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl;substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkenyl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkynyl; substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclyl; substituted orunsubstituted heterocyclyl; substituted or unsubstituted aryl;substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; or a group of the formula(iii′):

or two R⁵ groups are joined to form a substituted or unsubstitutedheterocyclyl; and

Z is hydrogen; acyl; silyl; sulfonyl; an amino protecting group;substituted or unsubstituted alkyl; substituted or unsubstitutedalkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl; substituted orunsubstituted heteroalkyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkenyl;substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkynyl; substituted or unsubstitutedcarbocyclyl; substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl; substituted orunsubstituted aryl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, or a groupof the formula (iii′):

or Z and the nitrogen atom to which it is attached form a substituted orunsubstituted heterocyclyl group.

The inventive conjugated polyethyleneimine polymer of Formula (II), orsalt thereof, is prepared by contacting a compound of Formula (I), orsalt thereof (the “precursor polyethyleneimine polymer”), with one ormore different epoxides of the formula (xii), e.g., provided below inScheme I:

wherein each instance of R¹ is independently selected from hydrogen or agroup of the formula (ii′):

and A, Z, L¹, R², R³, and n is as defined herein; provided that thenumber average molar mass (Mn) of the precursor polyethyleneiminepolymer does not exceed 2000 g/mol (about 2 kDa).

Thus, it is understood that the number average molar mass (Mn) of thecompound of Formula (II), as described herein, is approximately ≤2000(i.e., approximately ≤2 kDa) after subtraction of the molecular weightof each instance of the group (iii′) attached thereto:

In certain embodiments, the conjugated polyethyleneimine polymer isprepared from low molecular weight precursor polyethyleneimine polymer,i.e., having a number average molar mass (Mn) of ≤2000 (i.e.,approximately ≤2 kDa). In certain embodiments, the conjugatedpolyethyleneimine polymer is prepared from a precursor polyethyleneiminepolymer having an number average molar mass (Mn) of less than 1900, lessthan 1800, less than 1700, less than 1600, less than 1500, less than1400, less than 1300, less than 1200, less than 1100, less than 1000,less than 900, less than 800, or less than 700 g/mol. In certainembodiments, the precursor polyethyleneimine polymer has an numberaverage molar mass (Mn) of between about 400 to about 2000, of betweenabout 400 to about 1900, of between about 400 to about 1800, of betweenabout 500 to about 1900, of between about 600 to about 1800 g/mol, ofbetween about 600 to about 800, of between about 600 to about 700, ofbetween about 700 to about 1800, of between about 800 to about 1800, ofbetween about 900 to about 1800, or of between about 1000 to about 1800g/mol, inclusive.

In certain embodiments, the compound of Formula (I) is a branchedpolyethyleneimine (BPEI) polymer, and at least one R¹ is of the formula(ii′); e.g., for example, 1 to 45, 1 to 40, 1 to 30, 1 to 20, 1 to 10,or 1 to 5, R¹ groups are of the formula (ii′). In certain embodiments,the compound of Formula (I) is a linear polyethyleneimine (LPEI)polymer, and each R¹ group is hydrogen.

In certain embodiments of Formula (I), neither R⁵, Z, nor R² is a groupof the formula (iii′). For example, in certain embodiments of Formula(I),

each instance of R² is independently hydrogen; acyl; silyl; sulfonyl; anamino protecting group; substituted or unsubstituted alkyl; substitutedor unsubstituted alkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl;substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkynyl; substitutedor unsubstituted carbocyclyl; substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl;substituted or unsubstituted aryl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroaryl; or a substituted or unsubstituted polyethyleneimine;

A is —N(R⁵)₂, wherein each instance of R⁵ is independently hydrogen;acyl; silyl; sulfonyl; an amino protecting group; substituted orunsubstituted alkyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl; substitutedor unsubstituted alkynyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl;substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkenyl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkynyl; substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclyl; substituted orunsubstituted heterocyclyl; substituted or unsubstituted aryl; orsubstituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; or the two R⁵ groups are joinedto form a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl; and

Z is hydrogen; acyl; silyl; sulfonyl; an amino protecting group;substituted or unsubstituted alkyl; substituted or unsubstitutedalkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl; substituted orunsubstituted heteroalkyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkenyl;substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkynyl; substituted or unsubstitutedcarbocyclyl; substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl; substituted orunsubstituted aryl; or substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; or Z andthe nitrogen atom to which it is attached form a substituted orunsubstituted heterocyclyl group.

In certain embodiments of Formula (I), A is —N(R⁵)₂, wherein at leastone R⁵ is hydrogen. In certain embodiments of Formula (I) A is —N(R⁵)₂,wherein each R⁵ is hydrogen. In certain embodiments of Formula (I), Z ishydrogen.

Alternatively, in certain embodiments of Formula (II), either R⁵, Z,and/or R² can be a group of the formula (iii) provided that at least oneR², R⁵ and/or Z is hydrogen in the precursor polyethyleneimine polymer.Thus, in certain embodiments of Formula (II), A is —N(R⁵)₂, wherein eachinstance of R⁵ is independently hydrogen; acyl; silyl; sulfonyl; anamino protecting group; substituted or unsubstituted alkyl; substitutedor unsubstituted alkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl;substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkynyl; substitutedor unsubstituted carbocyclyl; substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl;substituted or unsubstituted aryl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroaryl; or a group of the formula (iii′); or two R⁵ groups arejoined to form a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl;

and Z is hydrogen; acyl; silyl; sulfonyl; an amino protecting group;substituted or unsubstituted alkyl; substituted or unsubstitutedalkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl; substituted orunsubstituted heteroalkyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkenyl;substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkynyl; substituted or unsubstitutedcarbocyclyl; substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl; substituted orunsubstituted aryl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl, or a groupof the formula (iii′); or Z and the nitrogen atom to which it isattached form a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl group.

In certain embodiments of Formula (II), A is —N(R⁵)₂, wherein eachinstance of R⁵ is independently hydrogen; acyl; silyl; sulfonyl; anamino protecting group; substituted or unsubstituted alkyl; substitutedor unsubstituted heteroalkyl; or a group of the formula (iii′). Incertain embodiments of Formula (II), A is —N(R⁵)₂, wherein each instanceof R⁵ is independently hydrogen; substituted or unsubstituted alkyl;substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl; or a group of the formula(iii′).

In certain embodiments of Formula (II), Z is hydrogen; acyl; silyl;sulfonyl; an amino protecting group; substituted or unsubstituted alkyl;substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl; or a group of the formula(iii′). In certain embodiments of Formula (II), Z is hydrogen;substituted or unsubstituted alkyl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkyl; or a group of the formula (iii′).

As generally defined above, n is an integer of between 3 to 45,inclusive. In certain embodiments, n is an integer of between 3 to 45,between 5 to 45, between 7 to 45, between 9 to 45, between 10 to 45,between 11 to 45, between 12 to 45, between 13 to 45, between 14 to 45,between 5 to 40, between 5 to 35, between 5 to 30, between 5 to 25,between 5 to 20, between 5 to 15, between 10 to 20, between 10 to 15, orbetween 40 to 45, inclusive. In certain embodiments, n is 14. In certainembodiments, n is 43.

As generally defined above, each instance of R² is independentlyhydrogen; acyl; silyl; sulfonyl; an amino protecting group; substitutedor unsubstituted alkyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl;substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkenyl; substituted orunsubstituted heteroalkynyl; substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclyl;substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl; substituted or unsubstitutedaryl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; a substituted orunsubstituted polyethyleneimine; or a group of the formula (iii′); orthe two R² groups are joined to form a substituted or unsubstitutedheterocyclyl.

In certain embodiments, each instance of R² is independently hydrogen;acyl; silyl; sulfonyl; an amino protecting group; substituted orunsubstituted alkyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl; substitutedor unsubstituted alkynyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl;substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkenyl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkynyl; a substituted or unsubstituted polyethyleneimine; or agroup of the formula (iii′); or the two R² groups are joined to form asubstituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl.

In certain embodiments, each instance of R² is independently hydrogen;substituted or unsubstituted alkyl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkyl; a substituted or unsubstituted polyethyleneimine; or agroup of the formula (iii′); or the two R² groups are joined to form asubstituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl.

In certain embodiments, each instance of R² is independently hydrogen; asubstituted or unsubstituted polyethyleneimine; or a group of theformula (iii′).

In certain embodiments, at least one R² is a substituted orunsubstituted polyethyleneimine.

As used herein, a substituted or unsubstituted polyethyleneimine refersto a group of the formula (iv):

wherein:

t is an integer of between 1 to 50, inclusive; P is hydrogen; acyl;silyl; sulfonyl; an amino protecting group; substituted or unsubstitutedalkyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl; substituted orunsubstituted alkynyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl;substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkenyl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkynyl; substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclyl; substituted orunsubstituted heterocyclyl; substituted or unsubstituted aryl;substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; or a group of the formula(iii′):

or

P, R⁶, and the nitrogen atom to which it is attached form a substitutedor unsubstituted heterocyclyl group; and

each instance of R⁶ is independently selected from hydrogen or a groupof the formula (ii′) or (iii′):

wherein R², R³, and R⁴ are as defined herein; provided that the numberaverage molar mass (Mn) of the precursor polyethyleneimine polymer doesnot exceed 2000 g/mol (about 2 kDa).

In certain embodiments, t is an integer of between 1 to 40, between 1 to30, between 1 to 20, between 1 to 10, between 1 to 5, or between 1 to 3,inclusive.

In certain embodiments of formula (iv), each instance of R² is hydrogenor a substituted or unsubstituted polyethyleneimine. For example, eachinstance of R⁶ may comprise any number of branched polyethyleneiminegroups, e.g., exemplary non-limiting examples include:

wherein:

each instance of t′, t″, and t′″ is independently an integer of between1 to 50, inclusive;

each instance of P′, P″, and P′″ is independently hydrogen; acyl; silyl;sulfonyl; an amino protecting group; substituted or unsubstituted alkyl;substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl; substituted or unsubstitutedalkynyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl; substituted orunsubstituted heteroalkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkynyl;substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclyl; substituted or unsubstitutedheterocyclyl; substituted or unsubstituted aryl; substituted orunsubstituted heteroaryl, or a group of the formula (iii′):

or

P′, P″, and P′″, the respective R⁶′, R⁶″, and R⁶′″, and the nitrogenatom to which both are attached independently forms a substituted orunsubstituted heterocyclyl group; and each instance of R⁶′, R⁶″, andR⁶′″, is independently hydrogen or a group of the formula (ii′) or(iii′):

wherein R²′ is as defined as R², defined herein; provided that thenumber average molar mass (Mn) of the precursor polyethyleneiminepolymer does not exceed 2000 g/mol (about 2 kDa).

In the instance, wherein at least one R² is a substituted orunsubstituted polyethyleneimine, the precursor polyethyleneimine polymerof the Formula (I) is a branched polyethyleneimine (BPEI) polymer, asdefined herein, wherein P and R⁶ of the the precursor polyethyleneiminepolymer of the Formula (I) are not a group of the formula (iii′). Inthis instance, the conjugated polyethyleneimine polymer furthercomprises at least one L¹ group of the formula (ii); e.g., 1 to 44, 1 to40, 1 to 30, 1 to 20, 1 to 10, or 1 to 5 groups of the formula (ii). Incertain embodiments, the conjugated polyethyleneimine polymer isprepared from a branched polyethyleneimine (BPEI) polymer having annumber average molar mass (Mn) of less than 2000 g/mol (approximately 2kDa). In certain embodiments, the conjugated polyethyleneimine polymeris prepared from a branched polyethyleneimine (BPEI) having an numberaverage molar mass (Mn) of less than 1900, less than 1800, less than1700, less than 1600, less than 1500, less than 1400, less than 1300,less than 1200, less than 1100, less than 1000, less than 900, less than800, or less than 700 g/mol. In certain embodiments, the BPEI has annumber average molar mass (Mn) of between about 400 to about 2000, ofbetween about 400 to about 1900, of between about 400 to about 1800, ofbetween about 500 to about 1900, of between about 600 to about 1800g/mol, of between about 600 to about 800, of between about 600 to about700, of between about 700 to about 1800, of between about 800 to about1800, of between about 900 to about 1800, or of between about 1000 toabout 1800 g/mol, inclusive.

In certain embodiments, the conjugated polyethyleneimine polymer isprepared from a branched polyethyleneimine (BPEI) polymer having annumber average molar mass (Mn) of about 600 g/mol (BPEI₆₀₀). In thisinstance, in certain embodiments, n is 14.

In certain embodiments, the conjugated polyethyleneimine polymer isprepared from a branched polyethyleneimine (BPEI) polymer having annumber average molar mass (Mn) of about 1800 g/mol (BPEI₁₈₀₀). In thisinstance, in certain embodiments, n is 43.

In certain embodiments, the precursor polyethyleneimine polymer is alinear polyethyleneimine (LPEI), as defined herein. In this instance,the conjugated polyethyleneimine polymer does not comprise an L¹ groupof the formula (ii). In certain embodiments, the conjugatedpolyethyleneimine polymer is prepared from a linear polyethyleneimine(LPEI) having an number average molar mass (Mn) of less than 2000 g/mol(approximately 2 kDa). In certain embodiments, the conjugatedpolyethyleneimine polymer is prepared from a linear polyethyleneimine(LPEI) having an number average molar mass (Mn) of less than 1900, lessthan 1800, less than 1700, less than 1600, less than 1500, less than1400, less than 1300, less than 1200, less than 1100, less than 1000,less than 900, less than 800, or less than 700 g/mol. In certainembodiments, the LPEI has an number average molar mass (Mn) of betweenabout 400 to about 2000, of between about 400 to about 1900, of betweenabout 400 to about 1800, of between about 500 to about 1900, of betweenabout 600 to about 1800 g/mol, of between about 600 to about 800, ofbetween about 600 to about 700, of between about 700 to about 1800, ofbetween about 800 to about 1800, of between about 900 to about 1800, orof between about 1000 to about 1800 g/mol, inclusive.

In certain embodiments, the LPEI polymer having an number average molarmass (Mn) of about 600 g/mol (LPEI₆₀₀). In this instance, in certainembodiments, n is 14.

In certain embodiments, the LPEI polymer having an number average molarmass (Mn) of about 1800 g/mol (LPEI₁₈₀₀). In this instance, in certainembodiments, n is 43.

As generally defined above, the conjugated polyethyleneimine polymercomprises at least one instance (e.g., 1 to 44, 1 to 40, 1 to 30, 1 to20, 1 to 10, or 1 to 5 instances) of a group of the formula (iii):

wherein each instance of R³ provided in the conjugated polyethyleneiminepolymer is independently substituted or unsubstituted alkyl; substitutedor unsubstituted alkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl;substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkynyl; substitutedor unsubstituted carbocyclyl; substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl;substituted or unsubstituted aryl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroaryl; or a hydrophilic polymer; and

each instance of R⁴ is independently hydrogen, acyl; silyl; a hydroxylprotecting group; substituted or unsubstituted alkyl; substituted orunsubstituted alkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl; substitutedor unsubstituted heteroalkyl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkynyl; substitutedor unsubstituted carbocyclyl; substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl;substituted or unsubstituted aryl; or substituted or unsubstitutedheteroaryl.

As generally defined above, each instance of R³ is independentlysubstituted or unsubstituted alkyl; substituted or unsubstitutedalkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl; substituted orunsubstituted heteroalkyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkenyl;substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkynyl; substituted or unsubstitutedcarbocyclyl; substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl; substituted orunsubstituted aryl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; or ahydrophilic polymer.

In certain embodiments, each instance of R³ is independently substitutedor unsubstituted alkyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl;substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkenyl; substituted orunsubstituted heteroalkynyl; or a hydrophilic polymer.

In certain embodiments, each instance of R³ is independently substitutedor unsubstituted alkyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl; or ahydrophilic polymer.

In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted orunsubstituted alkyl. In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³is substituted or unsubstituted C₁₋₅₀alkyl. In certain embodiments, atleast one instance of R³ is substituted or unsubstituted C₈₋₅₀alkyl. Incertain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted orunsubstituted C₈₋₄₀alkyl. In certain embodiments, at least one instanceof R³ is substituted or unsubstituted C₈₋₃₀alkyl. In certainembodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted or unsubstitutedC₈₋₂₀alkyl.

In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is an unsubstitutedalkyl. Exemplary unsubstituted alkyl groups include, but are not limitedto, —CH₃, —C₂H₅, —C₃H₇, —C₄H₉, —C₅H₁₁, —C₆H₁₃, —C₇H₁₅, —C₈H₁₇, —C₉H₁₉,—C₁₀H₂₁, —C₁₁H₂₃, —C₁₂H₂₅, —C₁₃H₂₇, —C₁₄H₂₉, —C₁₅H₃₁, —C₁₆H₃₃, —C₁₇H₃₅,—C₁₈H₃₇, —C₁₉H₃₉, and —C₂₀H₄₁.

In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is a substitutedalkyl. For example, in certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³is an alkyl substituted with one or more fluorine substituents.Exemplary substituted alkyl groups include, but are not limited to:

In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted orunsubstituted alkenyl. In certain embodiments, at least one instance ofR³ is substituted or unsubstituted C₂₋₅₀alkenyl. In certain embodiments,at least one instance of R³ is substituted or unsubstituted C₈₋₅₀alkenyl. In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ issubstituted or unsubstituted C₈₋₄₀ alkenyl. In certain embodiments, atleast one instance of R³ is substituted or unsubstituted C₈₋₃₀ alkenyl.In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted orunsubstituted C₈₋₂₀ alkenyl. In certain embodiments, at least oneinstance of R³ is a substituted C₈₋₂₀ alkenyl. In certain embodiments,at least one instance of R³ is an unsubstituted alkenyl.

Exemplary unsubstituted alkenyl groups include, but are not limited to:

-   Myristoleic —(CH₂)₇CH═CH(CH₂)₃CH₃,-   Palmitoliec —(CH₂)₇CH═CH(CH₂)₅CH₃,-   Sapienic —(CH₂)₄CH═CH(CH₂)₈CH₃,-   Oleic —(CH₂)₇CH═CH(CH₂)₇CH₃,-   Linoleic —(CH₂)₇CH═CHCH₂CH═CH(CH₂)₄CH₃,-   α-Linolenic —(CH₂)₇CH═CHCH₂CH═CHCH₂CH═CHCH₂CH₃,-   Arachinodonic —(CH₂)₃CH═CHCH₂CH═CHCH₂CH═CHCH₂CH═CH(CH₂)₄CH₃,-   Eicosapentaenoic —(CH₂)₃CH═CHCH₂CH═CHCH₂CH═CHCH₂CH═CHCH₂CH═CHCH₂CH₃,-   Erucic —(CH₂)₁₁CH═CH(CH₂)₇CH₃, and-   Docosahexaenoic    —(CH₂)₂CH═CHCH₂CH═CHCH₂CH═CHCH₂CH═CHCH₂CH═CHCH₂CH═CH—CH₂CH₃.

In embodiments, wherein R³ is defined as a C₆₋₅₀alkyl or C₆₋₅₀alkenylgroups, such groups are meant to encompass lipophilic groups (alsoreferred to as a “lipid tail”). Lipophilic groups comprise a group ofmolecules that include fats, waxes, oils, fatty acids, and the like.Lipid tails present in these lipid groups can be saturated andunsaturated, depending on whether or not the lipid tail comprises doublebonds. The lipid tail can also comprise different lengths, oftencategorized as medium (i.e., with tails between 7-12 carbons, e.g.,C₇₋₁₂ alkyl or C₇₋₁₂ alkenyl), long (i.e., with tails greater than 12carbons and up to 22 carbons, e.g., C₁₃₋₂₂ alkyl or C₁₃₋₂₂ alkenyl), orvery long (i.e., with tails greater than 22 carbons, e.g., C₂₃₋₃₀ alkylor C₂₃₋₃₀ alkenyl).

In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted orunsubstituted alkynyl. In certain embodiments, at least one instance ofR³ is substituted or unsubstituted C₂₋₅₀alkynyl. In certain embodiments,at least one instance of R³ is substituted or unsubstituted C₈₋₅₀alkynyl. In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ issubstituted or unsubstituted C₈₋₄₀ alkynyl. In certain embodiments, atleast one instance of R³ is substituted or unsubstituted C₈₋₃₀ alkynyl.In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted orunsubstituted C₈₋₂₀ alkynyl. In certain embodiments, at least oneinstance of R³ is an unsubstituted alkynyl. In certain embodiments, atleast one instance of R³ is a substituted alkynyl.

In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted orunsubstituted heteroalkyl. In certain embodiments, at least one instanceof R³ is substituted or unsubstituted C₁₋₅₀ heteroalkyl. In certainembodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted or unsubstitutedC₈₋₅₀ heteroalkyl. In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³is substituted or unsubstituted C₈₋₄₀ heteroalkyl. In certainembodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted or unsubstitutedC₈₋₃₀ heteroalkyl. In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³is substituted or unsubstituted C₈₋₂₀ heteroalkyl. In certainembodiments, at least one instance of R³ is a substituted heteroalkyl.In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is an unsubstitutedheteroalkyl.

Exemplary unsubstituted heteroalkyl groups include, but are not limitedto:

In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted orunsubstituted heteroalkenyl. In certain embodiments, at least oneinstance of R³ is substituted or unsubstituted C₂₋₅₀ heteroalkenyl. Incertain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted orunsubstituted C₈₋₅₀ heteroalkenyl. In certain embodiments, at least oneinstance of R³ is substituted or unsubstituted C₈₋₄₀ heteroalkenyl. Incertain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted orunsubstituted C₈₋₃₀ heteroalkenyl. In certain embodiments, at least oneinstance of R³ is substituted or unsubstituted C₈₋₂₀ heteroalkenyl. Incertain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is a substitutedheteroalkenyl. In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is anunsubstituted heteroalkenyl.

In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted orunsubstituted heteroalkynyl. In certain embodiments, at least oneinstance of R³ is substituted or unsubstituted C₂₋₅₀ heteroalkynyl. Incertain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted orunsubstituted C₈₋₅₀ heteroalkynyl. In certain embodiments, at least oneinstance of R³ is substituted or unsubstituted C₈₋₄₀ heteroalkynyl. Incertain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted orunsubstituted C₈₋₃₀ heteroalkynyl. In certain embodiments, at least oneinstance of R³ is substituted or unsubstituted C₈₋₂₀ heteroalkynyl. Incertain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is a substitutedheteroalkynyl. In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is anunsubstituted heteroalkynyl.

In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted orunsubstituted carbocyclyl. In certain embodiments, at least one instanceof R³ is a substituted carbocyclyl. In certain embodiments, at least oneinstance of R³ is an unsubstituted carbocyclyl.

In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted orunsubstituted heterocyclyl. In certain embodiments, at least oneinstance of R³ is a substituted heterocyclyl. In certain embodiments, atleast one instance of R³ is an unsubstituted heterocyclyl.

In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted orunsubstituted aryl. In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³is an unsubstituted aryl. In certain embodiments, at least one instanceof R³ is a substituted aryl.

In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted orunsubstituted heteroaryl. In certain embodiments, at least one instanceof R³ is a substituted heteroaryl. In certain embodiments, at least oneinstance of R³ is an unsubstituted heteroaryl.

In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is hydrophilicpolymer. As used herein, a “polymer” refers to a compound comprised ofat least 3 (e.g., at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100,etc.) repeating covalently bound structural units. By extension, a“hydrophilic polymer” is a polymer, as defined herein, furthercomprising at least one group (e.g., an oxygen, nitrogen, and/or sulfuratom) in the repeating structural unit capable of hydrogen bonding. Thehydrophilic polymer is preferably biocompatible (i.e., non-toxic).Exemplary hydrophilic polymers include, but are not limited to,polypeptides (e.g., poly-L-lysine), cellulose polymers (e.g.,hydroxyethylcellulose, ethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, methylccellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC)), dextran polymers,polymaleic acid polymers, poly(acrylic acid) polymers,poly(vinylalcohol) polymers, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) polymers, andpolyethyleneglycol (PEG) polymers.

In certain embodiments, the hydrophilic polymer is a polyethyleneglycolpolymer, e.g., of the formula (v):

wherein:

R⁷ is hydrogen; acyl; silyl; a hydroxyl protecting group; substituted orunsubstituted alkyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl; substitutedor unsubstituted alkynyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl;substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkenyl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkynyl; substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclyl; substituted orunsubstituted heterocyclyl; substituted or unsubstituted aryl; orsubstituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; and

v is an integer between 3 to 400, inclusive.

In certain embodiments, R⁷ is hydrogen. In certain embodiments, R⁷ isacyl. In certain embodiments, R⁷ is a hydroxyl protecting group. Incertain embodiments, R⁷ is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl. Incertain embodiments, R⁷ is a substituted alkyl. In certain embodiments,R⁷ is an unsubstituted alkyl. In certain embodiments, R⁷ is —CH₃ (a“polyethyleneglycol monomethylether” polymer). In certain embodiments,R⁷ is substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl. In certain embodiments, R⁷is substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl. In certain embodiments, R⁷ issubstituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl. In certain embodiments, R⁷ issubstituted or unsubstituted heteroalkenyl. In certain embodiments, R⁷is substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkynyl. In certain embodiments,R⁷ is substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclyl. In certain embodiments,R⁷ is substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl. In certain embodiments,R⁷ is substituted or unsubstituted aryl. In certain embodiments, R⁷ isand substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl.

In certain embodiments, v is an integer between 3 to 300, 3 to 200, 3 to100, 3 to 90, 3 to 80, 3 to 70, 3 to 60, 3 to 50, 5 to 50, 10 to 50, 15to 50, 20 to 50, 20 to 40, 20 to 30, 20 to 25, 30 to 50, and 40 to 50,inclusive. PEG₁₀₀₀ corresponds, on average, to a v of about 22.7,wherein R⁷ is —OCH₃. PEG₂₀₀₀ corresponds, on average, to a v of about45.4.

In certain embodiments, the number average molar mass (Mn) of thepolyethyleneglycol polymer is ≤10,000. In certain embodiments, thenumber average molar mass (Mn) of the polyethyleneglycol polymer is≤10,000, ≤9000, ≤8000, ≤7000, ≤6000, ≤5000, ≤4000, ≤3000, or ≤2000. Incertain embodiments, the number average molar mass (Mn) of thepolyethyleneglycol polymer is between about 100 to about 10,000,inclusive; e.g., between about 100 to about 5000, between about 100 toabout 4000, between about 100 to about 3000, between about 100 to about2500, between about 100 to about 2000, between about 100 to about 1500,between about 100 to about 1000, between about 100 to about 900, betweenabout 100 to about 800, between about 100 to about 700, between about100 to about 600, between about 100 to about 500, between about 100 toabout 400, between about 100 to about 300, between about 100 to about200, between about 100 to about 1500, between about 2500 to about 10000,between about 2500 to about 9000, between about 2500 to about 8000,between about 2500 to about 7000, between about 2500 to about 6000,between about 2500 to about 5000, between about 2500 to about 4000, orbetween about 2500 to about 3000, inclusive. In certain embodiments, thenumber average molar mass (Mn) of the polyethyleneglycol polymer is 1000(PEG₁₀₀₀). In certain embodiments, the number average molar mass (Mn) ofthe polyethyleneglycol polymer is 2000 (PEG₂₀₀₀). A 1:1 mixture ofPEG₁₀₀₀ and PEG₂₀₀₀ is referred to herein as PEG_(1.5K).

In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is a hydrophilicpolymer, and at least one instance of R³ is a substituted orunsubstituted alkyl.

As used herein, when the group R³ is depicted as bisecting acarbon-carbon bond, e.g., of the group of the formula (iii), it isunderstood that R³ may be substituted at either carbon.

Nucleophilic attack of an amino group of the polyethyleneimine polymerat the least sterically hindered carbon of the epoxide provides a groupof the formula (iii-a) (route a), while nucleophilic attack at the moresterically hindered carbon of the epoxide provides a group of theformula (iii-b) (route b), wherein R⁴ is hydrogen; see, e.g., the“conjugation reaction” of Scheme II.

It is understood that compounds of the present invention may comprise amixture of products attached thereto arising from route (a) and route(b) depending on the preference, or lack thereof, of the mode ofaddition, and that formulae that depict this bisecting bond may comprisea mixture of compounds. The bisecting group R³ depicted in the formulaeseeks to encompasses all contemplated modes of addition.

The resulting hydroxyl moiety of the formula (iii-a) or (iii-b), whereinR⁴ is hydrogen, can optionally be converted to a substituted hydroxyl,wherein R⁴ is a group other than hydrogen, i.e., is independentlyselected from acyl; silyl; a hydroxyl protecting group; substituted orunsubstituted alkyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl; substitutedor unsubstituted alkynyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl;substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkenyl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkynyl; substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclyl; substituted orunsubstituted heterocyclyl; substituted or unsubstituted aryl; orsubstituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; using conventional methods.Alkylation, acylation, and/or protection of a hydroxyl moiety arewell-known in the art; see, e.g., Protecting Groups in OrganicSynthesis, T. W. Greene and P. G. M. Wuts, 3 ^(rd) edition, John Wiley &Sons, 1999; Smith and March, March's Advanced Organic Chemistry, 5^(th)Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 2001; Larock, ComprehensiveOrganic Transformations, VCH Publishers, Inc., New York, 1989; andCarruthers, Some Modern Methods of Organic Synthesis, 3^(rd) Edition,Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1987.

For example, in certain non-limiting embodiments, the hydroxyl moiety isreacted with an electrophile of the formula R⁴—X wherein R⁴ is a groupother than hydrogen, and X is a leaving group, to provide a substitutedhydroxyl group in formula (iii).

In certain embodiments, each instance of R⁴ is independently hydrogen;acyl; silyl; a hydroxyl protecting group; substituted or unsubstitutedalkyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl; substituted orunsubstituted alkynyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl; orsubstituted or unsubstituted heteroalkenyl. In certain embodiments, eachinstance of R⁴ is independently hydrogen; substituted or unsubstitutedalkyl; or substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl. In certainembodiments, each instance of R⁴ is hydrogen.

It is understood from the present disclosure that the group of formula(iii) represents a group of formula (iii-a) or a group of formula(iii-b):

In certain embodiments, the conjugation reaction depicted in Scheme IIresults in a mixture comprising more lipomers conjugated to a group offormula (iii-a) than to a group of formula (iii-b), e.g., the reactionmixture comprises greater than 50%, greater than 60%, greater than 70%,greater than 80%, greater than 90%, greater than 95%, greater than 99%,between about 60% to about 100%, between about 70% to about 100%,between about 80% to about 100%, between about 90% to about 100%,between about 95% to about 100%, or between about 99% to about 100%, ofa conjugated lipomer attached to a group of formula (iii-a).

In certain embodiments, the reaction mixture comprises only conjugatedlipomers attached to a group formula (iii-a).

In certain embodiments, the epoxide is chiral, i.e., having (R) or (S)stereochemistry. In this instance, in certain embodiments, theconjugation reaction depicted in Scheme II provides a chiral conjugatedpolyethyleneimine polymer. Chirality in a polymer can be characterizedin a variety of ways, e.g., obtaining the optical rotation and/or NMRanalysis after chemical modification of the optically active polymerwith a chiral derivatizing agent are methods useful in evaluating thechirality of a polymer.

In certain embodiments, wherein the epoxide is chiral, the conjugationreaction depicted in Scheme II results in a mixture comprising morelipomers conjugated to a group of formula (R)-(iii-a) than to a group offormula (S)-(iii-a), e.g., the reaction mixture comprises greater than50%, greater than 60%, greater than 70%, greater than 80%, greater than90%, greater than 95%, greater than 99%, between about 60% to about100%, between about 70% to about 100%, between about 80% to about 100%,between about 90% to about 100%, between about 95% to about 100%, orbetween about 99% to about 100%, of a conjugated lipomer attached to agroup of formula (R)-(iii-a).

In certain embodiments, reaction mixture comprises only conjugatedlipomers attached to a group formula (R)-(iii-a).

In certain embodiments, wherein the epoxide is chiral, the conjugationreaction depicted in Scheme II results in a mixture comprising morelipomers conjugated to a group of formula formula (S)-(iii-a) thanformula (R)-(iii-a), e.g., the reaction mixture comprises greater than50%, greater than 60%, greater than 70%, greater than 80%, greater than90%, greater than 95%, greater than 99%, between about 60% to about100%, between about 70% to about 100%, between about 80% to about 100%,between about 90% to about 100%, between about 95% to about 100%, orbetween about 99% to about 100%, of a conjugated lipomer attached to agroup of formula (S)-(iii-a).

In certain embodiments, reaction mixture comprises only conjugatedlipomers attached to a group formula (S)-(iii-a).

In certain embodiments, wherein one epoxide is used in the conjugationreaction, each instance of R³ is the same in the conjugatedpolyethyleneimine polymer. For example, in certain embodiments, eachinstance of R³ is the same wherein R³ is a substituted or unsubstitutedalkyl. In certain embodiments, each instance of R³ is the same whereinR³ is an unsubstituted alkyl. In certain embodiments, each instance ofR³ is the same wherein R³ is selected from the group consisting of —CH₃,—C₂H₅, —C₃H₇, —C₄H₉, —C₅H₁₁, —C₆H₁₃, —C₇H₁₅, —C₈H₁₇, —C₉H₁₉, —C₁₀H₂₁,—C₁₁H₂₃, —C₁₂H₂₅, —C₁₃H₂₇, —C₁₄H₂₉, —C₁₅H₃₁, —C₁₆H₃₃, —C₁₇H₃₅, —C₁₈H₃₇,—C₁₉H₃₉, and —C₂₀H₄₁. In certain embodiments, each instance of R³ is thesame wherein R³ is selected from the group consisting of —C₈H₁₇, —C₉H₁₉,—C₁₀H₂₁, —C₁₁H₂₃, —C₁₂H₂₅, —C₁₃H₂₇, —C₁₄H₂₉, —C₁₅H₃₁, and —C₁₆H₃₃.

Alternatively, in certain embodiments, wherein more than one epoxide isused in the conjugation reaction (e.g., two, three, four, five, six,seven, eight, nine, or ten different epoxides), the conjugatedpolyethyleneimine polymer comprises two or more (e.g., two, three, four,five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten) different R³ groups.

For example, in certain embodiments, two different epoxides are used inthe conjugation reaction. In this instance, in certain embodiments, theconjugated polyethyleneimine polymer comprises two different R³ groups.For example, in certain embodiments, the conjugated polyethyleneiminepolymer comprises a mixture of two different R³ groups, wherein thefirst R³ group is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, and the secondR³ group is a hydrophilic polymer (e.g., a polyethyleneglycol polymer).In certain embodiments, the conjugated polyethyleneimine polymercomprises a mixture of two different R³ groups, wherein the first R³group is an unsubstituted alkyl, and the second R³ group is apolyethyleneglycol polymer. In certain embodiments, the conjugatedpolyethyleneimine polymer comprises a mixture of two different R³groups, wherein the first R³ group is selected from the group consistingof —CH₃, —C₂H₅, —C₃H₇, —C₄H₉, —C₅H₁₁, —C₆H₁₃, —C₇H₁₅, —C₈H₁₇, —C₉H₁₉,—C₁₀H₂₁, —C₁₁H₂₃, —C₁₂H₂₅, —C₁₃H₂₇, —C₁₄H₂₉, —C₁₅H₃₁, —C₁₆H₃₃, —C₁₇H₃₅,—C₁₈H₃₇, —C₁₉H₃₉, and —C₂₀H₄₁, and the second R³ group is PEG₁₀₀₀. Incertain embodiments, the conjugated polyethyleneimine polymer comprisesa mixture of two different R³ groups, wherein the first R³ group isselected from the group consisting of —CH₃, —C₂H₅, —C₃H₇, —C₄H₉, —C₅H₁₁,—C₆H₁₃, —C₇H₁₅, —C₈H₁₇, —C₉H₁₉, —C₁₀H₂₁, —C₁₁H₂₃, —C₁₂H₂₅, —C₁₃H₂₇,—C₁₄H₂₉, —C₁₅H₃₁, —C₁₆H₃₃, —C₁₇H₃₅, —C₁₈H₃₇, —C₁₉H₃₉, and —C₂₀H₄₁, andthe second R³ group is PEG₂₀₀₀.

In certain embodiments, three different epoxides are used in theconjugation reaction. In this instance, in certain embodiments, theconjugated polyethyleneimine polymer comprises three different R³groups. For example, in certain embodiments, the conjugatedpolyethyleneimine polymer comprises a mixture of three different R³groups, wherein the first R³ group is a substituted or unsubstitutedalkyl, the second R³ group is a first hydrophilic polymer (e.g., apolyethyleneglycol polymer, e.g., PEG₁₀₀₀), and the third R³ group is asecond hydrophilic polymer (e.g., a different polyethyleneglycolpolymer, e.g., PEG₂₀₀₀). In certain embodiments, the conjugatedpolyethyleneimine polymer comprises a mixture of three different R³groups, wherein the first R³ group is an unsubstituted alkyl, the secondR³ group is PEG₁₀₀₀, and the third R³ group is PEG₂₀₀₀. In certainembodiments, the conjugated polyethyleneimine polymer comprises amixture of three different R³ groups, wherein the first R³ group isselected from the group consisting of —CH₃, —C₂H₅, —C₃H₇, —C₄H₉, —C₅H₁₁,—C₆H₁₃, —C₇H₁₅, —C₈H₁₇, —C₉H₁₉, —C₁₀H₂₁, —C₁₁H₂₃, —C₁₂H₂₅, —C₁₃H₂₇,—C₁₄H₂₉, —C₁₅H₃₁, —C₁₆H₃₃, —C₁₇H₃₅, —C₁₈H₃₇, —C₁₉H₃₉, and —C₂₀H₄₁, thesecond R³ group is PEG₁₀₀₀, and the third R³ group is PEG₂₀₀₀. Incertain embodiments a 1:1 mixture of PEG₁₀₀₀ and PEG₂₀₀₀ is used. Inthis instance, the mixture of the second R³ group and the third R³ groupare referred to herein as PEG_(1.5K).

In certain embodiments, the conjugated polymer comprises more of formula(iii) than of formula (i). For example, in certain embodiments, theratio of groups of the formulae (i) to (iii) is between about 0:10 toabout 9:10, inclusive. In certain embodiments, the ratio of groups ofthe formulae (i) to (iii) is between about 0:10 to about 9:10; betweenabout 1:10 to about 8:10; between about 1:10 to about 7:10; betweenabout 1:10 to about 6:10; between about 1:10 to about 5:10; or betweenabout 2:10 to about 4:10, inclusive. In certain embodiments, the ratioof groups of the formulae (i) to (iii) is between about 3:10 to about4:10, inclusive.

Alternatively, in certain embodiments, the conjugated polymer comprisesmore of formula (i) than of formula (iii). For example, in certainembodiments, the ratio of groups of the formulae (iii) to (i) is betweenabout 0:10 to about 9:10, inclusive. In certain embodiments, the ratioof groups of the formulae (iiii) to (i) is between about 0:10 to about9:10; between about 1:10 to about 8:10; between about 1:10 to about7:10; between about 1:10 to about 6:10; between about 1:10 to about5:10; or between about 2:10 to about 4:10, inclusive. In certainembodiments, the ratio of groups of the formulae (iii) to (i) is betweenabout 3:10 to about 4:10, inclusive.

In certain embodiments, wherein the conjugated polyethyleneimine polymercomprises two different R³ groups, the ratio of the second R³ group tothe first R³ group is between about 0.01:10 to about 10:10, inclusive.In certain embodiments, the ratio of the second R³ group to the first R³group is between about 0.02:10 to about 10:10; between about 0.03:10 toabout 10:10; between about 0.04:10 to about 10:10; between about 0.05:10to about 10:10; between about 0.06:10 to about 10:10; between about0.07:10 to about 10:10; between about 0.08:10 to about 10:10; betweenabout 0.08:10 to about 9:10; between about 0.08:10 to about 8:10;between about 0.08:10 to about 7:10; between about 0.08:10 to about6:10; between about 0.08:10 to about 5:10; between about 0.08:10 toabout 4:10; between about 0.08:10 to about 3:10; between about 0.08:10to about 2:10; or between about 0.08:10 to about 1:10, inclusive. Incertain embodiments, the ratio of the second R³ group to the first R³group is about 0.1:10.

In certain embodiments, wherein the conjugated polyethyleneimine polymercomprises three different R³ groups, the ratio of the sum of the secondand third R³ groups to the first R³ group is between about 0.01:10 toabout 10:10, inclusive. In certain embodiments, the ratio of the sum ofthe second and third R³ groups to the first R³ group is 0.02:10 to about10:10; between about 0.03:10 to about 10:10; between about 0.04:10 toabout 10:10; between about 0.05:10 to about 10:10; between about 0.06:10to about 10:10; between about 0.07:10 to about 10:10; between about0.08:10 to about 10:10; between about 0.08:10 to about 9:10; betweenabout 0.08:10 to about 8:10; between about 0.08:10 to about 7:10;between about 0.08:10 to about 6:10; between about 0.08:10 to about5:10; between about 0.08:10 to about 4:10; between about 0.08:10 toabout 3:10; between about 0.08:10 to about 2:10; or between about0.08:10 to about 1:10, inclusive. In certain embodiments, the ratio ofthe sum of the second and third R³ groups to the first R³ group is about0.1:10.

Exemplary conjugated polyethyleneimine polymers of the Formula (II)include, but are not limited to, any of the following LPEI conjugatedpolymers and BPEI conjugated polymers, or salts thereof, provided inTables 1 and 2, defining the one or more L₁ groups present along thepolymer backbone.

TABLE 1 LPEI conjugated polymers (i) (iii) (iii)  1 —

—  2

—  3

 4 —

 5 —

—  6

—  7

 8 —

 9 —

— 10

— 11

12 —

13 —

— 14

— 15

16 —

17 —

— 18

— 19

20 —

21 —

— 22

— 23

24 —

25 —

— 26

— 27

28 —

29 —

— 30

— 31

32 —

33 —

— 34

— 35

36 —

TABLE 2 BPEI conjugated polymers (i) (ii) (iii) (iii)  1 —

—  2

—  3

 4 —

 5 —

—  6

—  7

 8 —

 9 —

— 10

— 11

12 —

13 —

— 14

— 15

16 —

17 —

— 18

— 19

20 —

21 —

— 22

— 23

24 —

25 —

— 26

— 27

28 —

29 —

— 30

— 31

32 —

33 —

— 34

— 35

36 —

Conjugated Aza-Macrocycles and Preparation Thereof

The present invention further provides conjugated aza-macrocycles; i.e.,of the Formula (IV):

or salt thereof; wherein:

each instance of L³ is independently selected from:

provided that the aza-macrocycle contains at least one group selectedfrom (vi), (vii) or (viii);

each instance of R⁸ is independently hydrogen; acyl; silyl; sulfonyl; anamino protecting group; substituted or unsubstituted alkyl; substitutedor unsubstituted alkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl;substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkynyl; substitutedor unsubstituted carbocyclyl; substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl;substituted or unsubstituted aryl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroaryl; or

provided the aza-macrocycle contains at least one group of the formula(iii′);

each instance of R³ is independently substituted or unsubstituted alkyl;substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl; substituted or unsubstitutedalkynyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl; substituted orunsubstituted heteroalkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkynyl;substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclyl; substituted or unsubstitutedheterocyclyl; substituted or unsubstituted aryl; substituted orunsubstituted heteroaryl; or a hydrophilic polymer;

each instance of R⁴ is independently hydrogen, acyl; silyl; a hydroxylprotecting group; substituted or unsubstituted alkyl; substituted orunsubstituted alkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl; substitutedor unsubstituted heteroalkyl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkynyl; substitutedor unsubstituted carbocyclyl; substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl;substituted or unsubstituted aryl; or substituted or unsubstitutedheteroaryl;

each instance of m and p is independently 0, 1 or 2;

q is an integer selected from 2, 3, or 4; and

the dashed curved line, together with G and Y, is a covalent bond or agroup of the formula:

wherein s is 0, 1, or 2.

The conjugated aza-macrocyle, or salt thereof, is prepared similarly tothe above described method of preparing a conjugated polyethyleneiminepolymer, i.e., by contacting a compound of Formula (III), or saltthereof (an “aza-macrocycle precursor”) with one or more differentepoxides; e.g. as provided below in Scheme IV.

Scheme IV.

wherein each instance of L² is independently selected from:

provided that the aza-macrocycle precursor contains at least one groupselected from (vi), (vii) or (viii); and wherein R⁸, m, p, G, Y, and thedashed curved line, are as defined herein, and further provided that theaza-macrocycle precursor has at least one R⁸ group which is hydrogen.

Exemplary “aza-macrocycle precursors” are depicted in FIG. 1A. Incertain embodiments, the aza-macrocycle precursor is a cyclic structurehaving from 10 to 30 ring members, inclusive; e.g., from 10 to 20 ringmembers, inclusive, or from 12 to 18 ring members, inclusive. In certainembodiments, the aza-macrocycle precursor is a 10-membered ring, an11-membered ring, a 12-membered ring, a 13-membered ring, a 14-memberedring, a 15-membered ring, a 16-membered ring, a 17-membered ring, or an18-membered ring. By extension, the conjugated aza-macrocycle, preparedtherefrom, is also a cyclic structure having from 10 to 30 ring members,inclusive; e.g., from 10 to 20 ring members, inclusive, or from 12 to 18ring members, inclusive. In certain embodiments, the conjugatedaza-macrocycle is a 10-membered ring, an 11-membered ring, a 12-memberedring, a 13-membered ring, a 14-membered ring, a 15-membered ring, a16-membered ring, a 17-membered ring, or an 18-membered ring.

In certain embodiments of Formula (III), R⁸ is not a group of theformula (iii′). Thus, in certain embodiments of Formula (III), eachinstance of R⁸ is independently hydrogen; acyl; silyl; sulfonyl; anamino protecting group; substituted or unsubstituted alkyl; substitutedor unsubstituted alkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl;substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkynyl; substitutedor unsubstituted carbocyclyl; substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl;substituted or unsubstituted aryl; or substituted or unsubstitutedheteroaryl; provided that at least one R⁸ group is hydrogen. In certainembodiments of Formula (III), each instance of R⁸ is independentlyhydrogen; acyl; silyl; sulfonyl; an amino protecting group; substitutedor unsubstituted alkyl; or substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl. Incertain embodiments of Formula (III), each instance of R⁸ is hydrogen.

Alternatively, the conjugated aza-macrocycle of Formula (IV) requiresthat at least one R⁸ group is of the formula (iii′). Thus, in certainembodiments, each instance of R⁸ is independently hydrogen; acyl; silyl;sulfonyl; an amino protecting group; substituted or unsubstituted alkyl;substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl; substituted or unsubstitutedalkynyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl; substituted orunsubstituted heteroalkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkynyl;or a group of the formula (iii′), provided the aza-macrocycle containsat least one group of the formula (iii′). In certain embodiments, eachinstance of R⁸ is independently selected from hydrogen; substituted orunsubstituted alkyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl; substitutedor unsubstituted alkynyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl;substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkenyl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkynyl; or a group of the formula (iii′), provided theaza-macrocycle contains at least one group of the formula (iii′). Incertain embodiments, each instance of R⁸ is independently selected fromhydrogen or a group of the formula (iii′), provided the aza-macrocyclecontains at least one group of the formula (iii′).

In certain embodiments, at least one R⁸ group of the aza-macrocycle ishydrogen. In certain embodiments, one R⁸ group of the aza-macrocycle ishydrogen. In certain embodiments, two R⁸ groups of the aza-macrocycleare hydrogen. In certain embodiments, three R⁸ groups of theaza-macrocycle are hydrogen. In certain embodiments, four R⁸ groups ofthe aza-macrocycle are hydrogen.

In certain embodiments, 1 to 9 R⁸ groups provided in the aza-macrocycleis a group of the formula (iii′); e.g., 1 to 9; 1 to 8; 1 to 7; 1 to 6;1 to 5; 1 to 4; 1 to 3; 1 to 2 R⁸ groups, inclusive, are of the formula(iii′). In certain embodiments, 1 R⁸ group of the aza-macrocycle is ofthe formula (iii′). In certain embodiments, 2 R⁸ groups of theaza-macrocycle are groups of the formula (iii′). In certain embodiments,3 R⁸ groups of the aza-macrocycle are groups of the formula (iii′). Incertain embodiments, 4 R⁸ groups of the aza-macrocycle are groups of theformula (iii′). In certain embodiments, all of the R⁸ groups of theaza-macrocycle are groups of the formula (iii′).

In certain embodiments, the ratio of —NH— to —NR⁸— groups provided inthe aza-macrocycle, wherein R⁸ is a group of the formula (iii′), isbetween about 90:10 to about 0:100.

As generally defined above, each instance of R³ is independentlyselected from substituted or unsubstituted alkyl; substituted orunsubstituted alkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl; substitutedor unsubstituted heteroalkyl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkynyl; substitutedor unsubstituted carbocyclyl; substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl;substituted or unsubstituted aryl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroaryl; or a hydrophilic polymer. In certain embodiments, eachinstance of R³ is independently selected from substituted orunsubstituted alkyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl; substitutedor unsubstituted alkynyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl;substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkenyl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkynyl; or a hydrophilic polymer. In certain embodiments, eachinstance of R³ is independently selected from substituted orunsubstituted alkyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl; or ahydrophilic polymer.

In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted orunsubstituted alkyl. In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³is substituted or unsubstituted C₁₋₅₀alkyl. In certain embodiments, atleast one instance of R³ is substituted or unsubstituted C₈₋₅₀alkyl. Incertain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted orunsubstituted C₈₋₄₀alkyl. In certain embodiments, at least one instanceof R³ is substituted or unsubstituted C₈₋₃₀alkyl. In certainembodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted or unsubstitutedC₈₋₂₀alkyl.

In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is an unsubstitutedalkyl. Exemplary unsubstituted alkyl groups include, but are not limitedto, —CH₃, —C₂H₅, —C₃H₇, —C₄H₉, —C₅H₁₁, —C₆H₁₃, —C₇H₁₅, —C₈H₁₇, —C₉H₁₉,—C₁₀H₂₁, —C₁₁H₂₃, —C₁₂H₂₅, —C₁₃H₂₇, —C₁₄H₂₉, —C₁₅H₃₁, —C₁₆H₃₃, —C₁₇H₃₅,—C₁₈H₃₇, —C₁₉H₃₉, and —C₂₀H₄₁.

In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is a substitutedalkyl. For example, in certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³is an alkyl substituted with one or more fluorine substituents.Exemplary substituted alkyl groups include, but are not limited to:

In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted orunsubstituted alkenyl. In certain embodiments, at least one instance ofR³ is substituted or unsubstituted C₂₋₅₀alkenyl. In certain embodiments,at least one instance of R³ is substituted or unsubstituted C₈₋₅₀alkenyl. In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ issubstituted or unsubstituted C₈₋₄₀ alkenyl. In certain embodiments, atleast one instance of R³ is substituted or unsubstituted C₈₋₃₀ alkenyl.In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted orunsubstituted C₈₋₂₀ alkenyl. In certain embodiments, at least oneinstance of R³ is a substituted C₈₋₂₀ alkenyl. In certain embodiments,at least one instance of R³ is an unsubstituted alkenyl.

Exemplary unsubstituted alkenyl groups include, but are not limited to:

-   Myristoleic —(CH₂)₇CH═CH(CH₂)₃CH₃,-   Palmitoliec —(CH₂)₇CH═CH(CH₂)₅CH₃,-   Sapienic —(CH₂)₄CH═CH(CH₂)₈CH₃,-   Oleic —(CH₂)₇CH═CH(CH₂)₇CH₃,-   Linoleic —(CH₂)₇CH═CHCH₂CH═CH(CH₂)₄CH₃,-   α-Linolenic —(CH₂)₇CH═CHCH₂CH═CHCH₂CH═CHCH₂CH₃,-   Arachinodonic —(CH₂)₃CH═CHCH₂CH═CHCH₂CH═CHCH₂CH═CH(CH₂)₄CH₃,-   Eicosapentaenoic —(CH₂)₃CH═CHCH₂CH═CHCH₂CH═CHCH₂CH═CHCH₂CH═CHCH₂CH₃,-   Erucic —(CH₂)₁₁CH═CH(CH₂)₇CH₃, and-   Docosahexaenoic    —(CH₂)₂CH═CHCH₂CH═CHCH₂CH═CHCH₂CH═CHCH₂CH═CHCH₂CH═CH—CH₂CH₃.

In embodiments, wherein R³ is defined as a C₆₋₅₀alkyl or C₆₋₅₀alkenylgroups, such groups are meant to encompass lipophilic groups (alsoreferred to as a “lipid tail”). Lipophilic groups comprise a group ofmolecules that include fats, waxes, oils, fatty acids, and the like.Lipid tails present in these lipid groups can be saturated andunsaturated, depending on whether or not the lipid tail comprises doublebonds. The lipid tail can also comprise different lengths, oftencategorized as medium (i.e., with tails between 7-12 carbons, e.g.,C₇₋₁₂ alkyl or C₇₋₁₂ alkenyl), long (i.e., with tails greater than 12carbons and up to 22 carbons, e.g., C₁₃₋₂₂ alkyl or C₁₃₋₂₂ alkenyl), orvery long (i.e., with tails greater than 22 carbons, e.g., C₂₃₋₃₀ alkylor C₂₃₋₃₀ alkenyl).

In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted orunsubstituted alkynyl. In certain embodiments, at least one instance ofR³ is substituted or unsubstituted C₂₋₅₀alkynyl. In certain embodiments,at least one instance of R³ is substituted or unsubstituted C₈₋₅₀alkynyl. In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ issubstituted or unsubstituted C₈₋₄₀ alkynyl. In certain embodiments, atleast one instance of R³ is substituted or unsubstituted C₈₋₃₀ alkynyl.In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted orunsubstituted C₈₋₂₀ alkynyl. In certain embodiments, at least oneinstance of R³ is an unsubstituted alkynyl. In certain embodiments, atleast one instance of R³ is a substituted alkynyl.

In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted orunsubstituted heteroalkyl. In certain embodiments, at least one instanceof R³ is substituted or unsubstituted C₁₋₅₀ heteroalkyl. In certainembodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted or unsubstitutedC₈₋₅₀ heteroalkyl. In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³is substituted or unsubstituted C₈₋₄₀ heteroalkyl. In certainembodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted or unsubstitutedC₈₋₃₀ heteroalkyl. In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³is substituted or unsubstituted C₈₋₂₀ heteroalkyl. In certainembodiments, at least one instance of R³ is a substituted heteroalkyl.In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is an unsubstitutedheteroalkyl.

Exemplary unsubstituted heteroalkyl groups include, but are not limitedto:

In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted orunsubstituted heteroalkenyl. In certain embodiments, at least oneinstance of R³ is substituted or unsubstituted C₂₋₅₀ heteroalkenyl. Incertain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted orunsubstituted C₈₋₅₀ heteroalkenyl. In certain embodiments, at least oneinstance of R³ is substituted or unsubstituted C₈₋₄₀ heteroalkenyl. Incertain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted orunsubstituted C₈₋₃₀ heteroalkenyl. In certain embodiments, at least oneinstance of R³ is substituted or unsubstituted C₈₋₂₀ heteroalkenyl. Incertain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is a substitutedheteroalkenyl. In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is anunsubstituted heteroalkenyl.

In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted orunsubstituted heteroalkynyl. In certain embodiments, at least oneinstance of R³ is substituted or unsubstituted C₂₋₅₀ heteroalkynyl. Incertain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted orunsubstituted C₈₋₅₀ heteroalkynyl. In certain embodiments, at least oneinstance of R³ is substituted or unsubstituted C₈₋₄₀ heteroalkynyl. Incertain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted orunsubstituted C₈₋₃₀ heteroalkynyl. In certain embodiments, at least oneinstance of R³ is substituted or unsubstituted C₈₋₂₀ heteroalkynyl. Incertain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is a substitutedheteroalkynyl. In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is anunsubstituted heteroalkynyl.

In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted orunsubstituted carbocyclyl. In certain embodiments, at least one instanceof R³ is a substituted carbocyclyl. In certain embodiments, at least oneinstance of R³ is an unsubstituted carbocyclyl.

In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted orunsubstituted heterocyclyl. In certain embodiments, at least oneinstance of R³ is a substituted heterocyclyl. In certain embodiments, atleast one instance of R³ is an unsubstituted heterocyclyl.

In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted orunsubstituted aryl. In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³is an unsubstituted aryl. In certain embodiments, at least one instanceof R³ is a substituted aryl.

In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is substituted orunsubstituted heteroaryl. In certain embodiments, at least one instanceof R³ is a substituted heteroaryl. In certain embodiments, at least oneinstance of R³ is an unsubstituted heteroaryl.

In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is hydrophilicpolymer. As used herein, a “polymer” refers to a compound comprised ofat least 3 (e.g., at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100,etc.) repeating covalently bound structural units. By extension, a“hydrophilic polymer” is a polymer, as defined herein, furthercomprising at least one group (e.g., an oxygen, nitrogen, and/or sulfuratom) in the repeating structural unit capable of hydrogen bonding. Thehydrophilic polymer is preferably biocompatible (i.e., non-toxic).Exemplary hydrophilic polymers include, but are not limited to,polypeptides (e.g., poly-L-lysine), cellulose polymers (e.g.,hydroxyethylcellulose, ethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, methylccellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC)), dextran polymers,polymaleic acid polymers, poly(acrylic acid) polymers,poly(vinylalcohol) polymers, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) polymers, andpolyethyleneglycol (PEG) polymers.

In certain embodiments, the hydrophilic polymer is a polyethyleneglycolpolymer, e.g., of the formula (V):

wherein:

R⁷ is selected from hydrogen; acyl; silyl; a hydroxyl protecting group;substituted or unsubstituted alkyl; substituted or unsubstitutedalkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl; substituted orunsubstituted heteroalkyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkenyl;substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkynyl; substituted or unsubstitutedcarbocyclyl; substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl; substituted orunsubstituted aryl; or substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; and

v is an integer between 3 to 400, inclusive.

In certain embodiments, R⁷ is selected from hydrogen. In certainembodiments, R⁷ is acyl. In certain embodiments, R⁷ is a hydroxylprotecting group. In certain embodiments, R⁷ is substituted orunsubstituted alkyl. In certain embodiments, R⁷ is a substituted alkyl.In certain embodiments, R⁷ is an unsubstituted alkyl. In certainembodiments, R⁷ is —CH₃ (a “polyethyleneglycol monomethylether”polymer). In certain embodiments, R⁷ is substituted or unsubstitutedalkenyl. In certain embodiments, R⁷ is substituted or unsubstitutedalkynyl. In certain embodiments, R⁷ is substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkyl. In certain embodiments, R⁷ is substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkenyl. In certain embodiments, R⁷ is substituted orunsubstituted heteroalkynyl. In certain embodiments, R⁷ is substitutedor unsubstituted carbocyclyl. In certain embodiments, R⁷ is substitutedor unsubstituted heterocyclyl. In certain embodiments, R⁷ is substitutedor unsubstituted aryl. In certain embodiments, R⁷ is and substituted orunsubstituted heteroaryl.

In certain embodiments, v is an integer between 3 to 300, 3 to 200, 3 to100, 3 to 90, 3 to 80, 3 to 70, 3 to 60, 3 to 50, 5 to 50, 10 to 50, 15to 50, 20 to 50, 20 to 40, 20 to 30, 20 to 25, 30 to 50, and 40 to 50,inclusive. PEG₁₀₀₀ corresponds, on average, to a v of about 22.7,wherein R⁷ is —OCH₃. PEG₂₀₀₀ corresponds, on average, to a v of about45.4.

In certain embodiments, the number average molar mass (Mn) of thepolyethyleneglycol polymer is ≤10,000. In certain embodiments, thenumber average molar mass (Mn) of the polyethyleneglycol polymer is≤10,000, ≤9000, ≤8000, ≤7000, ≤6000, ≤5000, ≤4000, ≤3000, or ≤2000. Incertain embodiments, the number average molar mass (Mn) of thepolyethyleneglycol polymer is between about 100 to about 10,000,inclusive; e.g., between about 100 to about 5000, between about 100 toabout 4000, between about 100 to about 3000, between about 100 to about2500, between about 100 to about 2000, between about 100 to about 1500,between about 100 to about 1000, between about 100 to about 900, betweenabout 100 to about 800, between about 100 to about 700, between about100 to about 600, between about 100 to about 500, between about 100 toabout 400, between about 100 to about 300, between about 100 to about200, between about 100 to about 1500, between about 2500 to about 10000,between about 2500 to about 9000, between about 2500 to about 8000,between about 2500 to about 7000, between about 2500 to about 6000,between about 2500 to about 5000, between about 2500 to about 4000, orbetween about 2500 to about 3000, inclusive. In certain embodiments, thenumber average molar mass (Mn) of the polyethyleneglycol polymer is 1000(PEG₁₀₀₀). In certain embodiments, the number average molar mass (Mn) ofthe polyethyleneglycol polymer is 2000 (PEG₂₀₀₀). A 1:1 mixture ofPEG₁₀₀₀ and PEG₂₀₀₀ is referred to herein as PEG_(1.5K).

In certain embodiments, at least one instance of R³ is a hydrophilicpolymer, and at least one instance of R³ is a substituted orunsubstituted alkyl.

As used herein, when the group R³ is depicted as bisecting acarbon-carbon bond, e.g., of the group of the formula (iii′), it isunderstood that R³ may be substituted at either carbon. It is understoodfrom the present disclosure that the group of formula (iii′) representsa group of formula (iii′-a) or a group of formula (iii′-b). Nucleophilicattack of an amino group of the aza-macrocycle at the least stericallyhindered carbon of the epoxide provides a group of the formula (iii′-a)(route a), while nucleophilic attack at the more sterically hinderedcarbon of the epoxide provides a group of the formula (iii′-b) (routeb), wherein R⁴ is hydrogen; see, e.g., the “conjugation reaction” ofScheme V. It is thus understood that compounds of the present inventionmay comprise a mixture of products attached thereto arising from route(a) and route (b) depending on the preference, or lack thereof, of themode of addition, and that formulae that depict this bisecting bond maycomprise a mixture of compounds. The bisecting group R³ depicted in theformulae seeks to encompasses all contemplated modes of addition.

The resulting hydroxyl moiety of the formula (iii′-a) or (iii′-b),wherein R⁴ is hydrogen, can optionally be converted to a substitutedhydroxyl, wherein R⁴ is a group other than hydrogen, i.e., isindependently acyl; silyl; a hydroxyl protecting group; substituted orunsubstituted alkyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl; substitutedor unsubstituted alkynyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl;substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkenyl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkynyl; substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclyl; substituted orunsubstituted heterocyclyl; substituted or unsubstituted aryl; orsubstituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; using conventional methods.Alkylation, acylation, and/or protection of a hydroxyl moiety arewell-known in the art; see, e.g., Protecting Groups in OrganicSynthesis, T. W. Greene and P. G. M. Wuts, 3^(rd) edition, John Wiley &Sons, 1999; Smith and March, March's Advanced Organic Chemistry, 5^(th)Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 2001; Larock, ComprehensiveOrganic Transformations, VCH Publishers, Inc., New York, 1989; andCarruthers, Some Modern Methods of Organic Synthesis, 3^(rd) Edition,Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1987. For example, in certainnon-limiting embodiments, the hydroxyl moiety is reacted with anelectrophile of the formula R⁴—X wherein R⁴ is a group other thanhydrogen and X is a leaving group to provide a substituted hydroxylgroup in formula (iii′).

In certain embodiments, each instance of R⁴ is independently hydrogen;acyl; silyl; a hydroxyl protecting group; substituted or unsubstitutedalkyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl; substituted orunsubstituted alkynyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl; orsubstituted or unsubstituted heteroalkenyl. In certain embodiments, eachinstance of R⁴ is independently hydrogen; substituted or unsubstitutedalkyl; or substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl. In certainembodiments, each instance of R⁴ is hydrogen.

In certain embodiments, the conjugation reaction depicted in Scheme Vresults in a mixture comprising more lipomers conjugated to a group offormula (iii′-a) than to a group of formula (iii′-b), e.g., the reactionmixture comprises greater than 50%, greater than 60%, greater than 70%,greater than 80%, greater than 90%, greater than 95%, greater than 99%,between about 60% to about 100%, between about 70% to about 100%,between about 80% to about 100%, between about 90% to about 100%,between about 95% to about 100%, or between about 99% to about 100%, ofa conjugated lipomer attached to a group of formula (iii′-a).

In certain embodiments, the reaction mixture comprises only conjugatedlipomers attached to a group formula (iii′-a).

In certain embodiments, the epoxide is chiral, i.e., having (R) or (S)stereochemistry. In this instance, in certain embodiments, theconjugation reaction depicted in Scheme V provides a chiral conjugatedaza-macrocycle.

In certain embodiments, wherein the epoxide is chiral, the conjugationreaction depicted in Scheme V results in a mixture comprising morelipomers conjugated to a group of formula (R)-(iii′-a) than to a groupof formula (S)-(iii′-a), e.g., the reaction mixture comprises greaterthan 50%, greater than 60%, greater than 70%, greater than 80%, greaterthan 90%, greater than 95%, greater than 99%, between about 60% to about100%, between about 70% to about 100%, between about 80% to about 100%,between about 90% to about 100%, between about 95% to about 100%, orbetween about 99% to about 100%, of conjugated lipomer attached to agroup of formula (R)-(iii′-a).

In certain embodiments, the reaction mixture comprises only conjugatedlipomers attached to a group formula (R)-(iii′-a).

In certain embodiments, wherein the epoxide is chiral, the conjugationreaction depicted in Scheme V results in a mixture comprising morelipomers conjugated to a group of formula (S)-(iii′-a) than to a groupof formula (R)-(iii′-a), e.g., the reaction mixture comprises greaterthan 50%, greater than 60%, greater than 70%, greater than 80%, greaterthan 90%, greater than 95%, greater than 99%, between about 60% to about100%, between about 70% to about 100%, between about 80% to about 100%,between about 90% to about 100%, between about 95% to about 100%, orbetween about 99% to about 100%, of a conjugated lipomer attached to agroup of formula (S)-(iii′-a).

In certain embodiments, the reaction mixture comprises only conjugatedlipomers attached to a group formula (S)-(iii′-a).

In certain embodiments, wherein one epoxide is used in the conjugationreaction, each instance of R³ is the same in the conjugatedaza-macrocycle. For example, in certain embodiments, each instance of R³is the same wherein R³ is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl. Incertain embodiments, each instance of R³ is the same wherein R³ is anunsubstituted alkyl. In certain embodiments, each instance of R³ is thesame wherein R³ is selected from the group consisting of —CH₃, —C₂H₅,—C₃H₇, —C₄H₉, —C₅H₁₁, —C₆H₁₃, —C₇H₁₅, —C₈H₁₇, —C₉H₁₉, —C₁₀H₂₁, —C₁₁H₂₃,—C₁₂H₂₅, —C₁₃H₂₇, —C₁₄H₂₉, —C₁₅H₃₁, —C₁₆H₃₃, —C₁₇H₃₅, —C₁₈H₃₇, —C₁₉H₃₉,and —C₂₀H₄₁. In certain embodiments, each instance of R³ is the samewherein R³ is selected from the group consisting of —C₈H₁₇, —C₉H₁₉,—C₁₀H₂₁, —C₁₁H₂₃, —C₁₂H₂₅, —C₁₃H₂₇, —C₁₄H₂₉, —C₁₅H₃₁, and —C₁₆H₃₃.

Alternatively, in certain embodiments, wherein more than one epoxide isused in the conjugation reaction (e.g., two, three, four, five, six,seven, eight, nine, or ten different epoxides), the conjugatedaza-macrocycle comprises two or more (e.g., two, three, four, five, six,seven, eight, nine, or ten) different R³ groups.

For example, in certain embodiments, two different epoxides are used inthe conjugation reaction. In this instance, in certain embodiments, theconjugated aza-macrocycle comprises two different R³ groups. Forexample, in certain embodiments, the conjugated aza-macrocycle comprisesa mixture of two different R³ groups, wherein the first R³ group is asubstituted or unsubstituted alkyl, and the second R³ group is ahydrophilic polymer (e.g., a polyethyleneglycol polymer, as definedherein). In certain embodiments, the conjugated aza-macrocycle comprisesa mixture of two different R³ groups, wherein the first R³ group is anunsubstituted alkyl, and the second R³ group is a polyethyleneglycolpolymer. In certain embodiments, the conjugated aza-macrocycle comprisesa mixture of two different R³ groups, wherein the first R³ group isselected from the group consisting of —CH₃, —C₂H₅, —C₃H₇, —C₄H₉, —C₅H₁₁,—C₆H₁₃, —C₇H₁₅, —C₈H₁₇, —C₉H₁₉, —C₁₀H₂₁, —C₁₁H₂₃, —C₁₂H₂₅, —C₁₃H₂₇,—C₁₄H₂₉, —C₁₅H₃₁, —C₁₆H₃₃, —C₁₇H₃₅, —C₁₈H₃₇, —C₁₉H₃₉, and —C₂₀H₄₁, andthe second R³ group is PEG₁₀₀₀. In certain embodiments, the conjugatedaza-macrocycle comprises a mixture of two different R³ groups, whereinthe first R³ group is selected from the group consisting of —CH₃, —C₂H₅,—C₃H₇, —C₄H₉, —C₅H₁₁, —C₆H₁₃, —C₇H₁₅, —C₈H₁₇, —C₉H₁₉, —C₁₀H₂₁, —C₁₁H₂₃,—C₁₂H₂₅, —C₁₃H₂₇, —C₁₄H₂₉, —C₁₅H₃₁, —C₁₆H₃₃, —C₁₇H₃₅, —C₁₈H₃₇, —C₁₉H₃₉,and —C₂₀H₄₁, and the second R³ group is PEG₂₀₀₀.

In certain embodiments, three different epoxides are used in theconjugation reaction. In this instance, in certain embodiments, theconjugated aza-macrocycle comprises three different R³ groups. Forexample, in certain embodiments, the conjugated aza-macrocycle comprisesa mixture of three different R³ groups, wherein the first R³ group is asubstituted or unsubstituted alkyl, the second R³ group is a firsthydrophilic polymer (e.g., a polyethyleneglycol polymer, as definedherein), and the third R³ group is a second hydrophilic polymer (e.g., adifferent polyethyleneglycol polymer). In certain embodiments, theconjugated aza-macrocycle comprises a mixture of three different R³groups, wherein the first R³ group is an unsubstituted alkyl, the secondR³ group is PEG₁₀₀₀, and the third R³ group is PEG₂₀₀₀. In certainembodiments, the conjugated aza-macrocycle comprises a mixture of threedifferent R³ groups, wherein the first R³ group is selected from thegroup consisting of —CH₃, —C₂H₅, —C₃H₇, —C₄H₉, —C₅H₁₁, —C₆H₁₃, —C₇H₁₅,—C₈H₁₇, —C₉H₁₉, —C₁₀H₂₁, —C₁₁H₂₃, —C₁₂H₂₅, —C₁₃H₂₇, —C₁₄H₂₉, —C₁₅H₃₁,—C₁₆H₃₃, —C₁₇H₃₅, —C₁₈H₃₇, —C_(191439,) and —C₂₀H₄₁, the second R³ groupis PEG₁₀₀₀, and the third R³ group is PEG₂₀₀₀.

In certain embodiments, wherein the conjugated aza-macrocycle comprisestwo different R³ groups, the ratio of the second R³ group to the firstR³ group is between about 0.01:10 to about 10:10, inclusive. In certainembodiments, the ratio of the second R³ group to the first R³ group isbetween about 0.02:10 to about 10:10; between about 0.03:10 to about10:10; between about 0.04:10 to about 10:10; between about 0.05:10 toabout 10:10; between about 0.06:10 to about 10:10; between about 0.07:10to about 10:10; between about 0.08:10 to about 10:10; between about0.08:10 to about 9:10; between about 0.08:10 to about 8:10; betweenabout 0.08:10 to about 7:10; between about 0.08:10 to about 6:10;between about 0.08:10 to about 5:10; between about 0.08:10 to about4:10; between about 0.08:10 to about 3:10; between about 0.08:10 toabout 2:10; or between about 0.08:10 to about 1:10, inclusive. Incertain embodiments, the ratio of the second R³ group to the first R³group is about 0.1:10.

In certain embodiments, wherein the conjugated aza-macrocycle comprisesthree different R³ groups, the ratio of the sum of the second and thirdR³ groups to the first R³ group is between about 0.01:10 to about 10:10,inclusive. In certain embodiments, the ratio of the sum of the secondand third R³ groups to the first R³ group is 0.02:10 to about 10:10;between about 0.03:10 to about 10:10; between about 0.04:10 to about10:10; between about 0.05:10 to about 10:10; between about 0.06:10 toabout 10:10; between about 0.07:10 to about 10:10; between about 0.08:10to about 10:10; between about 0.08:10 to about 9:10; between about0.08:10 to about 8:10; between about 0.08:10 to about 7:10; betweenabout 0.08:10 to about 6:10; between about 0.08:10 to about 5:10;between about 0.08:10 to about 4:10; between about 0.08:10 to about3:10; between about 0.08:10 to about 2:10; or between about 0.08:10 toabout 1:10, inclusive. In certain embodiments, the ratio of the sum ofthe second and third R³ groups to the first R³ group is about 0.1:10.

As generally defined above, each instance of m and p is independently 0,1 or 2. In certain embodiments, each instance of m is is independently0, 1 or 2. In certain embodiments, each instance of m is 1. In certainembodiments, each instance of m is 2. In certain embodiments, eachinstance of m is independently 1 or 2. In certain embodiments, eachinstance of p is independently 0, 1 or 2. In certain embodiments, eachinstance of p is 1. In certain embodiments, each instance of p is 2. Incertain embodiments, each instance of p is independently 1 or 2.

As generally defined above, q is an integer 2, 3, or 4. In certainembodiments, q is 2. In certain embodiments, q is 3. In certainembodiments, q is 2 or 3. In certain embodiments, q is 4.

As generally defined above, the dashed curved line, together with G andY, is a covalent bond or a group of the formula:

wherein s is 0, 1, or 2.

In certain embodiments, the dashed curved line, together with G and Y,is a covalent bond.

In certain embodiments, the dashed curved line, together with G and Y, agroup of the formula:

wherein s is 0, 1, or 2. In certain embodiments, s is 1 or 2. In certainembodiments, s is 1.

In certain embodiments, the dashed curved line, together with G and Y, agroup of the formula:

wherein s is 0, 1, or 2. In certain embodiments, s is 1 or 2. In certainembodiments, s is 1.

As generally defined above, each instance of L³ is independently:

provided that the conjugated aza-macrocycle contains at least one group(vi), (vii) or (viii);

In certain embodiments, the conjugated aza-macrocycle comprises at leastone instance of the group of the formula (vi). In certain embodiments,each instance of L³ is a group of the formula (vi). For example, in thisinstance, the conjugated aza-macrocycle of the Formula (IV) is of theFormula (V), (VI), or (VII):

or salt thereof, wherein R⁸ is as defined herein.

In certain embodiments, the conjugated aza-macrocycle comprises at leastone instance of the group of the formula (vii), (viii), or (ix). Incertain embodiments, the conjugated aza-macrocycle comprises at leastone instance of the group of the formula (vii). In certain embodiments,the conjugated aza-macrocycle comprises at least one instance of thegroup of the formula (viii). In certain embodiments, the conjugatedaza-macrocycle comprises at least one instance of the group of theformula (ix). In these instances, in certain embodiments, the conjugatedaza-macrocycle of the Formula (IV) is of the Formula (VIII) or (IX):

or salt thereof, wherein R⁸ is as defined herein.

Exemplary conjugated aza-macrocycles of the Formula (V) include, but arenot limited to:

and salts thereof, wherein R³ is defined herein. In certain embodiments,R³ is a polyethyleglycol polymer. In certain embodiments, R³ is PEG₁₀₀₀.In certain embodiments, R³ is PEG₂₀₀₀. In certain embodiments, R³ isPEG_(1.5K).

Exemplary conjugated aza-macrocycles of the Formula (VI) include, butare not limited to:

and salts thereof, wherein R³ is defined herein. In certain embodiments,R³ is a polyethyleglycol polymer. In certain embodiments, R³ is PEG₁₀₀₀.In certain embodiments, R³ is PEG₂₀₀₀. In certain embodiments, R³ isPEG_(1.5K).

Exemplary conjugated aza-macrocycles of the Formula (VII) include, butare not limited to:

and salts thereof, wherein R³ is defined herein. In certain embodiments,R³ is a polyethyleglycol polymer. In certain embodiments, R³ is PEG₁₀₀₀.In certain embodiments, R³ is PEG₂₀₀₀. In certain embodiments, R³ isPEG_(1.5K).

Exemplary conjugated aza-macrocycles of the Formula (VII) include, butare not limited to:

and salts thereof, wherein R³ is defined herein. In certain embodiments,R³ is a polyethyleglycol polymer. In certain embodiments, R³ is PEG₁₀₀₀.In certain embodiments, R³ is PEG₂₀₀₀. In certain embodiments, R³ isPEG_(1.5K).

Exemplary conjugated aza-macrocycles of the Formula (VIII) include, butare not limited to:

and salts thereof, wherein R³ is defined herein. In certain embodiments,R³ is a polyethyleglycol polymer. In certain embodiments, R³ is PEG₁₀₀₀.In certain embodiments, R³ is PEG₂₀₀₀. In certain embodiments, R³ isPEG_(1.5K).

Additional Methods of Preparation

As described herein, preparation of both conjugated polyethyleneiminecomplexes and conjugated macrocycles (also referred to herein as“conjugated lipomers” or “lipomers”) is achieved using similar reactionconditions and reagents. In particular, the precursors are treated withone or more epoxide agents to provide the inventive conjugated lipomer.Each of the precursors is dissolved in an organic solvent (e.g., THF,CH₂Cl₂, MeOH, EtOH, CHCl₃, hexanes, toluene, benzene, CCl₄, glyme,diethyl ether, etc.), the one or more epoxides are added, and thereaction mixture is heated to yield the desired conjugated lipomer.

In certain embodiments, the reaction mixture is heated to between about50° C. to about 150° C. In certain embodiments, the reaction mixture isheated to about 90° C.

In certain embodiments, the epoxide is chiral. The chiral epoxidesuseful in the invention can be obtained from a variety of sources whichare familiar to those skilled in the art of organic synthesis. In someembodiments, the chiral epoxides useful in the invention can be obtainedcommercially. In some embodiments, the chiral epoxides useful in theinvention can be synthesized according to methods known to those ofskill in the art, such as, but not limited to the Sharpless epoxidationof primary and secondary allylic alcohols into 2,3-epoxyalcohols(Katsuki et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1980, 102, 5974; Hill et al., Org.Syn., Coll. Vol. 7, p. 461 (1990); Vol. 63, p. 66 (1985); Katsuki etal., Org. React. 1996, 48, 1-300; incorporated herein by reference.) Insome embodiments, the chiral epoxides useful in the invention areobtained from the resolution of racemic epoxides. In some embodiments,the chiral epoxides useful in the invention are obtained by theseparation of enantiomers or diastereoisomers using chiralchromatography.

As would be appreciated by one of skill in this art, the degree ofconjugation may be controlled by the reaction conditions (e.g.,temperature, starting materials, concentration, solvent, etc.) used inthe synthesis.

The synthesized conjugated lipomer may be purified by any techniqueknown in the art including, but not limited to, precipitation,crystallization, chromatography, distillation, etc. In certainembodiments, the conjugated lipomer is purified through repeatedprecipitations in organic solvent (e.g., diethyl ether, hexane, etc.).

In certain embodiments, the conjugated lipomer is isolated as a salt.For example, in certain embodiments, the conjugated lipomer is reactedwith an acid (e.g., an organic acid or inorganic acid) to form thecorresponding salt. In other embodiments, the tertiary amine isalkylated to form a quaternary ammonium salt of the conjugated lipomer.The tertiary amines may be alkylated with any alkylating agent, forexample, alkyl halides such as methyl iodide may be used to from thequaternary amino groups. The anion associated with the quaternary aminemay be any organic or inorganic anion. Preferably, the anion is apharmaceutically acceptable anion.

The invention also provides libraries of the inventive conjugatedlipomers prepared by the inventive methods. These conjugated lipomersmay be prepared and/or screened using high-throughput techniquesinvolving liquid handlers, robots, microtiter plates, computers, etc. Incertain embodiments, the conjugated lipomers are screened for theirability to transfect polynucleotides or other agents (e.g., proteins,peptides, small molecules) into the cell.

In one embodiment, a library of different conjugated lipomers isprepared in parallel. A different precursor and/or epoxide is added toeach vial in a set of vials or to each well of a multi-well plate usedto prepare the library. The array of reaction mixtures is incubated at atemperature and length of time sufficient to allow formation of theconjugated lipomer. In one embodiment, the vials are incubated atapproximately 90° C. overnight. In certain embodiments, the vials areincubated from 1 to 7 days at approximately 90° C. In certainembodiments, the vials are incubated from 3 to 4 days at approximately90° C. In certain embodiments, the vials are incubated from 1 to 2 daysat approximately 90° C. The conjugated lipomer may then be isolated andpurified using techniques known in the art. The conjugated lipomer maythen be screened using high-throughput techniques to identify conjugatedlipomers with a desired characteristic (e.g., solubility in water,solubility at different pH, ability to bind polynucleotides, ability tobind heparin, ability to bind small molecules, ability to bind protein,ability to form microparticles, ability to increase transfectionefficiency, etc.). In certain embodiments the conjugated lipomers may bescreened for properties or characteristics useful as coatings,additives, materials, and excipients in biotechnology and biomedicalapplications such as the coating of medical devices or implants withfilms or multilayer films, as non-biofouling agents, micropatterningagents, and cellular encapsulation agents. In certain embodiments theconjugated lipomer may be screened for properties or characteristicsuseful in gene therapy (e.g., ability to bind polynucleotides, increasein transfection efficiency) or the administration and/or delivery oftherapeutic agents (e.g., polynucleotide, small molecule, antigen, drug,protein, peptide, etc.) to a subject, patient, tissue, organ, or cell,etc.

Polynucleotide Complexes

The inventive conjugated lipomers are particularly useful in theadministration of polynucleotides. For example, the inventive conjugatedlipomers possess tertiary amines, and although these amines arehindered, they are available to interact with a polynucleotide (e.g.,DNA, RNA, synthetic analogs of DNA and/or RNA, DNA/RNA hydrids, etc.).Polynucleotides or derivatives thereof are contacted with the inventiveconjugated lipomers under conditions suitable to formpolynucleotide/lipomer complexes. The interaction of the lipomer withthe polynucleotide is thought to at least partially prevent thedegradation of the polynucleotide. By neutralizing the charge on thebackbone of the polynucleotide, the neutral orslightly-positively-charged complex is also able to more easily passthrough the hydrophobic membranes (e.g., cytoplasmic, lysosomal,endosomal, nuclear) of the cell. In certain embodiments, the complex isslightly positively charged. In certain embodiments, the complex has apositive ζ-potential, more preferably the ζ-potential is between 0 and+30.

The conjugated lipomer is preferably at least partially provided as asalt (i.e., is protonated) so as to form a complex with the negativelycharged polynucleotide. In certain embodiments, thepolynucleotide/lipomer complexes form particles that are useful in thedelivery of polynucleotides to cells. In certain embodiments, more thanone conjugated lipomer may be associated with a polynucleotide molecule.For example, the complex may include 1-100 conjugated lipomers, 1-1000conjugated lipomers, 10-1000 conjugated lipomers, or 100-10,000conjugated lipomers.

In certain embodiments, the complex may form a particle. In certainembodiments, the diameter of the particles ranges from 10-500micrometers. In certain embodiments, the diameter of the particlesranges from 10-1200 micrometers. In certain embodiments, the diameter ofthe particles ranges from 50-150 micrometers. In certain embodiments,the diameter of the particles ranges from 10-500 nm, more preferably thediameter of the particles ranges from 10-1200 nm, and most preferablyfrom 50-150 nm. The particles may be associated with a targeting agentas described below. In certain embodiments, the diameter of theparticles ranges from 10-500 pm, more preferably the diameter of theparticles ranges from 10-1200 pm, and most preferably from 50-150 pm.The particles may be associated with a targeting agent as describedbelow. The film architecture is precisely designed and can be controlledto 1 nm precision with a range from 1 to 150000 nm and with a definiteknowledge of its molecular composition.

The polynucleotide may be complexed, encapsulated by the inventiveconjugated lipomers, or included in a composition comprising theinventive conjugated lipomers. The polynucleotide may be any nucleicacid including, but not limited to, RNA and DNA. In certain embodiments,the polynucleotide is DNA. In certain embodiments, the polynucleotide isRNA.

In certain embodiments, the polynucleotide is an RNA that carries outRNA interference (RNAi). The phenomenon of RNAi is discussed in greaterdetail, for example, in the following references, each of which isincorporated herein by reference: Elbashir et al., 2001, Genes Dev.,15:188; Fire et al., 1998, Nature, 391:806; Tabara et al., 1999, Cell,99:123; Hammond et al., Nature, 2000, 404:293; Zamore et al., 2000,Cell, 101:25; Chakraborty, 2007, Curr. Drug Targets, 8:469; and Morrisand Rossi, 2006, Gene Ther., 13:553. In certain embodiments, thepolynucleotide is a dsRNA (double-stranded RNA). In certain embodiments,the polynucleotide is an siRNA (short interfering RNA). In certainembodiments, the polynucleotide is an shRNA (short hairpin RNA).

In certain embodiments, the polynucleotide is an miRNA (micro RNA).micro RNAs (miRNAs) are genomically encoded non-coding RNAs of about21-23 nucleotides in length that help regulate gene expression,particularly during development (see, e.g., Bartel, 2004, Cell, 116:281;Novina and Sharp, 2004, Nature, 430:161; and U.S. Patent Publication2005/0059005; also reviewed in Wang and Li, 2007, Front. Biosci.,12:3975; and Zhao, 2007, Trends Biochem. Sci., 32:189; each of which areincorporated herein by reference).

In certain embodiments, the polynucleotide is an antisense RNA.

In some embodiments, dsRNA, siRNA, shRNA, miRNA and/or antisense RNA canbe designed and/or predicted using one or more of a large number ofavailable algorithms. To give but a few examples, the followingresources can be utilized to design and/or predict dsRNA, siRNA, shRNA,and/or miRNA: algorithms found at Alnylum Online, Dharmacon Online,OligoEngine Online, Molecula Online, Ambion Online, BioPredsi Online,RNAi Web Online, Chang Bioscience Online, Invitrogen Online, LentiWebOnline GenScript Online, Protocol Online; Reynolds et al., 2004, Nat.Biotechnol., 22:326; Naito et al., 2006, Nucleic Acids Res., 34:W448; Liet al., 2007, RNA, 13:1765; Yiu et al., 2005, Bioinformatics, 21:144;and Jia et al., 2006, BMC Bioinformatics, 7: 271; each of which isincorporated herein by reference).

The polynucleotides may be of any size or sequence, and they may besingle- or double-stranded. In certain embodiments, the polynucleotideis greater than 100 base pairs long. In certain embodiments, thepolynucleotide is greater than 1000 base pairs long and may be greaterthan 10,000 base pairs long. The polynucleotide is optionally purifiedand substantially pure. Preferably, the polynucleotide is greater than50% pure, more preferably greater than 75% pure, and most preferablygreater than 95% pure. The polynucleotide may be provided by any meansknown in the art. In certain embodiments, the polynucleotide has beenengineered using recombinant techniques (for a more detailed descriptionof these techniques, please see Ausubel et al., Current Protocols inMolecular Biology (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1999); MolecularCloning: A Laboratory Manual, 2nd Ed., ed. by Sambrook, Fritsch, andManiatis (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press: 1989); each of which isincorporated herein by reference). The polynucleotide may also beobtained from natural sources and purified from contaminating componentsfound normally in nature. The polynucleotide may also be chemicallysynthesized in a laboratory. In certain embodiments, the polynucleotideis synthesized using standard solid phase chemistry.

The polynucleotide may be modified by chemical or biological means. Incertain embodiments, these modifications lead to increased stability ofthe polynucleotide. Modifications include methylation, phosphorylation,end-capping, etc.

Derivatives of polynucleotides may also be used in the presentinvention. These derivatives include modifications in the bases, sugars,and/or phosphate linkages of the polynucleotide. Modified bases include,but are not limited to, those found in the following nucleoside analogs:2-aminoadenosine, 2-thiothymidine, inosine, pyrrolo-pyrimidine, 3-methyladenosine, 5-methylcytidine, C5-bromouridine, C5-fluorouridine,C5-iodouridine, C5-propynyl-uridine, C5-propynyl-cytidine,C5-methylcytidine, 7-deazaadenosine, 7-deazaguanosine, 8-oxoadenosine,8-oxoguanosine, O(6)-methylguanine, and 2-thiocytidine. Modified sugarsinclude, but are not limited to, 2′-fluororibose, ribose,2′-deoxyribose, 3′-azido-2′,3′-dideoxyribose, 2′,3′-dideoxyribose,arabinose (the 2′-epimer of ribose), acyclic sugars, and hexoses. Thenucleosides may be strung together by linkages other than thephosphodiester linkage found in naturally occurring DNA and RNA.Modified linkages include, but are not limited to, phosphorothioate and5′-N-phosphoramidite linkages. Combinations of the various modificationsmay be used in a single polynucleotide. These modified polynucleotidesmay be provided by any means known in the art; however, as will beappreciated by those of skill in this art, the modified polynucleotidesare preferably prepared using synthetic chemistry in vitro.

The polynucleotides to be delivered may be in any form. For example, thepolynucleotide may be a circular plasmid, a linearized plasmid, acosmid, a viral genome, a modified viral genome, an artificialchromosome, etc.

The polynucleotide may be of any sequence. In certain embodiments, thepolynucleotide encodes a protein or peptide. The encoded proteins may beenzymes, structural proteins, receptors, soluble receptors, ionchannels, pharmaceutically active proteins, cytokines, interleukins,antibodies, antibody fragments, antigens, coagulation factors, albumin,growth factors, hormones, insulin, etc. The polynucleotide may alsocomprise regulatory regions to control the expression of a gene. Theseregulatory regions may include, but are not limited to, promoters,enhancer elements, repressor elements, TATA box, ribosomal bindingsites, stop site for transcription, etc. In certain embodiments, thepolynucleotide is not intended to encode a protein. For example, thepolynucleotide may be used to fix an error in the genome of the cellbeing transfected.

The polynucleotide may also be provided as an antisense agent or RNAinterference (RNAi) (Fire et al., Nature 391:806-811, 1998; incorporatedherein by reference). Antisense therapy is meant to include, e.g.,administration or in situ provision of single- or double-strandedoligonucleotides or their derivatives which specifically hybridize,e.g., bind, under cellular conditions, with cellular mRNA and/or genomicDNA, or mutants thereof, so as to inhibit expression of the encodedprotein, e.g., by inhibiting transcription and/or translation (Crooke“Molecular mechanisms of action of antisense drugs” Biochim. Biophys.Acta 1489(1):31-44, 1999; Crooke “Evaluating the mechanism of action ofantiproliferative antisense drugs” Antisense Nucleic Acid Drug Dev.10(2):123-126, discussion 127, 2000; Methods in Enzymology volumes313-314, 1999; each of which is incorporated herein by reference). Thebinding may be by conventional base pair complementarity, or, forexample, in the case of binding to DNA duplexes, through specificinteractions in the major groove of the double helix (i.e., triple helixformation) (Chan et al., J. Mol. Med. 75(4):267-282, 1997; incorporatedherein by reference).

In certain embodiments, the polynucleotide to be delivered comprises asequence encoding an antigenic peptide or protein. Nanoparticlescontaining these polynucleotides can be delivered to an individual toinduce an immunologic response sufficient to decrease the chance of asubsequent infection and/or lessen the symptoms associated with such aninfection. The polynucleotide of these vaccines may be combined withinterleukins, interferon, cytokines, and adjuvants such as choleratoxin, alum, Freund's adjuvant, etc. A large number of adjuvantcompounds are known; a useful compendium of many such compounds isprepared by the National Institutes of Health (see Allison Dev. Biol.Stand. 92:3-11, 1998; Unkeless et al., Annu. Rev. Immunol. 6:251-281,1998; and Phillips et al., Vaccine 10:151-158, 1992; each of which isincorporated herein by reference).

The antigenic protein or peptides encoded by the polynucleotide may bederived from such bacterial organisms as Streptococcus pneumoniae,Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyrogenes,Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus anthracis,Clostridium tetani, Clostridium botulinum, Clostridium perfringens,Neisseria meningitidis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Streptococcus mutans,Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Haemophilus parainfluenzae,Bordetella pertussis, Francisella tularensis, Yersinia pestis, Vibriocholerae, Legionella pneumophila, Mycobacterium tuberculosis,Mycobacterium leprae, Treponema pallidum, Leptospirosis interrogans,Borrelia burgdorferi, Camphylobacter jejuni, and the like; from suchviruses as smallpox, influenza A and B, respiratory syncytial virus,parainfluenza, measles, HIV, varicella-zoster, herpes simplex 1 and 2,cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, rotavirus, rhinovirus, adenovirus,papillomavirus, poliovirus, mumps, rabies, rubella, coxsackieviruses,equine encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis, yellow fever, Rift Valleyfever, hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E virus, and the like; and from suchfungal, protozoan, and parasitic organisms such as Cryptococcusneoformans, Histoplasma capsulatum, Candida albicans, Candidatropicalis, Nocardia asteroides, Rickettsia ricketsii, Rickettsia typhi,Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydial psittaci, Chlamydial trachomatis,Plasmodium falciparum, Trypanosoma brucei, Entamoeba histolytica,Toxoplasma gondii, Trichomonas vaginalis, Schistosoma mansoni, and thelike.

Table 3 of the Examples provides the nitrogen: phosphate ratio ofconjugated lipomers of the present invention. The nitrogen:phosphateratio (i.e., the ratio between the amino groups present in the lipomer,and the phosphate groups present in the polynucleotide) is between about10:1 to about 50:1, inclusive. In certain embodiments, the nitrogenphosphate ratio is between about 10:1 to about 45:1, between about 15:1to about 45:1, or between about 20:1 to about 40:1, inclusive.Increasing nitrogen:phosphate ratios have been shown to positivelyinfluence delivery of genetic material by increasing nucleic acidbinding and negatively influence delivery by increasing toxicity (see,e.g., Incani et al., Soft Matter (2010) 6:2124-2138).

Table 3 of the Examples also provides the lipomer:polynucleotide massratio and molar ratios measured from complexes of polynucleotide andconjugated lipomers of the present invention. The conjugatedlipomer:polynucleotide mass ratio is between about 10:1 to about 20:1,inclusive. In certain embodiments, the conjugated lipomer:polynucleotidemass ratio is about 15:1. The conjugated lipomer:polynucleotide molarratio is between about 10:1 to about 400:1, inclusive. In certainembodiments, the conjugated lipomer:polynucleotide molar ratio isbetween about 10:1 to about 350:1, between about 15:1 to about 300:1, orbetween about 20:1 to about 250:1, inclusive.

Particles

The conjugated lipomers of the present invention may also be used toform drug delivery devices. The inventive conjugated lipomers haveseveral properties that make them particularly suitable in thepreparation of drug delivery devices. These include: 1) the ability ofthe lipomer to complex and “protect” labile agents; 2) the ability tobuffer the pH in the endosome; 3) the ability to act as a “protonsponge” and cause endosomolysis; and 4) the ability to neutralize thecharge on negatively charged agents.

In certain embodiments, the conjugated lipomers are used to formparticles containing the agent to be delivered. The inventive conjugatedlipomers may be used to encapsulate agents including, but not limitedto, organic molecules (e.g., cholesterol), inorganic molecules, nucleicacids, proteins, peptides, polynucleotides, targeting agents,isotopically labeled organic or inorganic molecules, vaccines,immunological agents, etc. Other exemplary agents are described ingreater detail herein. These particles may include other materials suchas polymers (e.g., synthetic polymers (e.g., PEG, PLGA), naturalpolymers (e.g., phospholipids)). In certain embodiments, the conjugatedlipomers are mixed with one or more agents (e.g., cholesterol) and/orone or more other materials (e.g., polymers). For example, as shown inFIGS. 5A-5B and described in the Examples, a conjugated lipomer wasmixed with an agent and a polymer, or just mixed with an agent, toprovide inventive particles.

In certain embodiments, the diameter of the particles range from between1 micrometer to 1,000 micrometers. In certain embodiments, the diameterof the particles range from between from 1 micrometer to 100micrometers. In certain embodiments, the diameter of the particles rangefrom between from 1 micrometer to 10 micrometers. In certainembodiments, the diameter of the particles range from between from 10micrometer to 100 micrometers. In certain embodiments, the diameter ofthe particles range from between from 100 micrometer to 1,000micrometers. In certain embodiments, the particles range from 1-5micrometers. In certain embodiments, the diameter of the particles rangefrom between 1 nm to 1,000 nm. In certain embodiments, the diameter ofthe particles range from between from 1 nm to 100 nm. In certainembodiments, the diameter of the particles range from between from 1 nmto 10 nm. In certain embodiments, the diameter of the particles rangefrom between from 10 nm to 100 nm. In certain embodiments, the diameterof the particles range from between from 100 nm to 1,000 nm. In certainembodiments, the particles range from 1-5 nm. In certain embodiments,the diameter of the particles range from between 1 pm to 1,000 pm. Incertain embodiments, the diameter of the particles range from betweenfrom 1 pm to 100 pm. In certain embodiments, the diameter of theparticles range from between from 1 pm to 10 pm. In certain embodiments,the diameter of the particles range from between from 10 pm to 100 pm.In certain embodiments, the diameter of the particles range from betweenfrom 100 pm to 1,000 pm. In certain embodiments, the particles rangefrom 1-5 pm.

The inventive particles may be prepared using any method known in thisart. These include, but are not limited to, spray drying, single anddouble emulsion solvent evaporation, solvent extraction, phaseseparation, simple and complex coacervation, and other methods wellknown to those of ordinary skill in the art. In certain embodiments,methods of preparing the particles are the double emulsion process andspray drying. The conditions used in preparing the particles may bealtered to yield particles of a desired size or property (e.g.,hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, external morphology, “stickiness”,shape, etc.). The method of preparing the particle and the conditions(e.g., solvent, temperature, concentration, air flow rate, etc.) usedmay also depend on the agent being encapsulated and/or the compositionof the matrix.

Methods developed for making particles for delivery of encapsulatedagents are described in the literature (for example, please see Doubrow,M., Ed., “Microcapsules and Nanoparticles in Medicine and Pharmacy,” CRCPress, Boca Raton, 1992; Mathiowitz and Langer, J. Controlled Release5:13-22, 1987; Mathiowitz et al., Reactive Polymers 6:275-283, 1987;Mathiowitz et al., J. Appl. Polymer Sci. 35:755-774, 1988; each of whichis incorporated herein by reference).

If the particles prepared by any of the above methods have a size rangeoutside of the desired range, the particles can be sized, for example,using a sieve. The particle may also be coated. In certain embodiments,the particles are coated with a targeting agent. In other embodiments,the particles are coated to achieve desirable surface properties (e.g.,a particular charge).

Micelles and Liposomes and Lipoplexes

The conjugated lipomers of the invention may also be used to preparemicelles liposomes. In addition, any agent may be included in a micelleor liposome. Micelles and liposomes are particularly useful indelivering hydrophobic agents such as hydrophobic small molecules. Whenthe micelle or liposome is complexed with (e.g., encapsulates or covers)a polynucleotide it is referred to as a “lipoplex.” Many techniques forpreparing micelles, liposomes, and lipoplexes are known in the art, andany method may be used with the inventive conjugated lipomers to makemicelles and liposomes.

In certain embodiments, liposomes are formed through spontaneousassembly. In other embodiments, liposomes are formed when thin lipidfilms or lipid cakes are hydrated and stacks of lipid crystallinebilayers become fluid and swell. The hydrated lipid sheets detach duringagitation and self-close to form large, multilamellar vesicles (LMV).This prevents interaction of water with the hydrocarbon core of thebilayers at the edges. Once these particles have formed, reducing thesize of the particle can be modified through input of sonic energy(sonication) or mechanical energy (extrusion). See Walde, P.“Preparation of Vesicles (Liposomes)” In Encylopedia of Nanoscience andNanotechnology; Nalwa, H. S. Ed. American Scientific Publishers: LosAngeles, 2004; Vol. 9, pp. 43-79; Szoka et al., “Comparative Propertiesand Methods of Preparation of Lipid Vesicles (Liposomes)” Ann. Rev.Biophys. Bioeng. 9:467-508, 1980; each of which is incorporated herein.The preparation of liposomes involves preparing the conjugated lipomersfor hydration, hydrating the conjugated lipomers with agitation, andsizing the vesicles to achieve a homogenous distribution of liposomes.Conjugated lipomers are first dissolved in an organic solvent to assurea homogeneous mixture of conjugated lipomers. The solvent is thenremoved to form a polymer-derived film. This polymer-derived film isthoroughly dried to remove residual organic solvent by placing the vialor flask on a vacuum pump overnight. Hydration of the polymer-derivedfilm is accomplished by adding an aqueous medium and agitating themixture. Disruption of LMV suspensions using sonic energy typicallyproduces small unilamellar vesicles (SUV) with diameters in the range of15-50 nm. Lipid extrusion is a technique in which a lipid/polymersuspension is forced through a polycarbonate filter with a defined poresize to yield particles having a diameter near the pore size of thefilter used. Extrusion through filters with 100 nm pores typicallyyields large, unilamellar polymer-derived vesicles (LUV) with a meandiameter of 120-140 nm.

In certain embodiments, the polynucleotide is an RNA molecule (e.g., anRNAi molecule). In other embodiments, the polynucleotide is a DNAmolecule. In certain embodiments, the amount of poly(beta-amino alcohol)in the liposome ranges from 30-80 mol %, preferably 40-70 mol %, morepreferably 60-70 mol %. These liposomes may be prepared using any methodknown in the art. In certain embodiments (e.g., liposomes containingRNAi molecules), the liposomes are prepared by lipid extrusion.

Certain conjugated lipomers can spontaneously self assemble aroundcertain molecules, such as DNA and RNA, to form liposomes. In someembodiments, the application is the delivery of polynucleotides. Use ofthese conjugated lipomers allows for simple assembly of liposomeswithout the need for additional steps or devices such as an extruder.

The following scientific papers described other methods for preparingliposomes and micelles: Narang et al., “Cationic Lipids with IncreasedDNA Binding Affinity for Nonviral Gene Transfer in Dividing andNondividing Cells” Bioconjugate Chem. 16:156-68, 2005; Hofland et al.,“Formation of stable cationic lipid/DNA complexes for gene transfer”Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93:7305-7309, July 1996; Byk et al.,“Synthesis, Activity, and Structure—Activity Relationship Studies ofNovel Cationic Lipids for DNA Transfer” J. Med. Chem. 41(2):224-235,1998; Wu et al., “Cationic Lipid Polymerization as a Novel Approach forConstructing New DNA Delivery Agents” Bioconjugate Chem. 12:251-57,2001; Lukyanov et al., “Micelles from lipid derivatives of water-solublepolymers as delivery systems for poorly soluble drugs” Advanced DrugDelivery Reviews 56:1273-1289, 2004; Tranchant et al., “Physicochemicaloptimisation of plasmid delivery by cationic lipids” J. Gene Med.6:S24-S35, 2004; van Balen et al., “Liposome/Water Lipophilicity:Methods, Information Content, and Pharmaceutical Applications” MedicinalResearch Rev. 24(3):299-324, 2004; each of which is incorporated hereinby reference.

Agents

The agents to be delivered by the systems of the present invention maybe therapeutic, diagnostic, or prophylactic agents. Any chemicalcompound to be administered to an individual may be delivered using theinventive complexes, picoparticles, nanoparticles, microparticles,micelles, or liposomes. The agent may be an organic molecule (e.g.,cholesterol, a drug), inorganic molecule, nucleic acid, protein,peptide, polynucleotide, targeting agent, isotopically labeled organicor inorganic molecule, vaccine, immunological agent, etc.

In certain embodiments, the agents are organic molecules withpharmaceutical activity, e.g., a drug. In certain embodiments, the drugis an antibiotic, anti-viral agent, anesthetic, steroidal agent,anti-inflammatory agent, anti-neoplastic agent, anti-cancer agent,antigen, vaccine, antibody, decongestant, antihypertensive, sedative,birth control agent, progestational agent, anti-cholinergic, analgesic,anti-depressant, anti-psychotic, β-adrenergic blocking agent, diuretic,cardiovascular active agent, vasoactive agent, non-steroidalanti-inflammatory agent, nutritional agent, etc.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the agent to bedelivered may be a mixture of agents.

Diagnostic agents include gases; metals; commercially available imagingagents used in positron emissions tomography (PET), computer assistedtomography (CAT), single photon emission computerized tomography, x-ray,fluoroscopy, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); and contrast agents.Examples of suitable materials for use as contrast agents in MRI includegadolinium chelates, as well as iron, magnesium, manganese, copper, andchromium. Examples of materials useful for CAT and x-ray imaging includeiodine-based materials.

Prophylactic agents include, but are not limited to, antibiotics,nutritional supplements, and vaccines. Vaccines may comprise isolatedproteins or peptides, inactivated organisms and viruses, dead organismsand viruses, genetically altered organisms or viruses, and cellextracts. Prophylactic agents may be combined with interleukins,interferon, cytokines, and adjuvants such as cholera toxin, alum,Freund's adjuvant, etc. Prophylactic agents include antigens of suchbacterial organisms as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae,Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyrogenes, Corynebacteriumdiphtheriae, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus anthracis, Clostridiumtetani, Clostridium botulinum, Clostridium perfringens, Neisseriameningitidis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Streptococcus mutans, Pseudomonasaeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Bordetellapertussis, Francisella tularensis, Yersinia pestis, Vibrio cholerae,Legionella pneumophila, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacteriumleprae, Treponema pallidum, Leptospirosis interrogans, Borreliaburgdorferi, Camphylobacter jejuni, and the like; antigens of suchviruses as smallpox, influenza A and B, respiratory syncytial virus,parainfluenza, measles, HIV, varicella-zoster, herpes simplex 1 and 2,cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, rotavirus, rhinovirus, adenovirus,papillomavirus, poliovirus, mumps, rabies, rubella, coxsackieviruses,equine encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis, yellow fever, Rift Valleyfever, hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E virus, and the like; antigens offungal, protozoan, and parasitic organisms such as Cryptococcusneoformans, Histoplasma capsulatum, Candida albicans, Candidatropicalis, Nocardia asteroides, Rickettsia ricketsii, Rickettsia typhi,Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydial psittaci, Chlamydial trachomatis,Plasmodium falciparum, Trypanosoma brucei, Entamoeba histolytica,Toxoplasma gondii, Trichomonas vaginalis, Schistosoma mansoni, and thelike. These antigens may be in the form of whole killed organisms,peptides, proteins, glycoproteins, carbohydrates, or combinationsthereof.

Targeting Agents

The inventive conjugated lipomers, and the complexes, liposomes,micelles, microparticles, picoparticles and nanoparticles, preparedtherefrom, may be modified to include targeting agents since it is oftendesirable to target a particular cell, collection of cells, or tissue. Avariety of targeting agents that direct pharmaceutical compositions toparticular cells are known in the art (see, for example, Cotten et al.,Methods Enzym. 217:618, 1993; incorporated herein by reference). Thetargeting agents may be included throughout the particle or may be onlyon the surface. The targeting agent may be a protein, peptide,carbohydrate, glycoprotein, lipid, small molecule, nucleic acids, etc.The targeting agent may be used to target specific cells or tissues ormay be used to promote endocytosis or phagocytosis of the particle.Examples of targeting agents include, but are not limited to,antibodies, fragments of antibodies, low-density lipoproteins (LDLs),transferrin, asialycoproteins, gp120 envelope protein of the humanimmunodeficiency virus (HIV), carbohydrates, receptor ligands, sialicacid, aptamers, etc. If the targeting agent is included throughout theparticle, the targeting agent may be included in the mixture that isused to form the particles. If the targeting agent is only on thesurface, the targeting agent may be associated with (i.e., by covalent,hydrophobic, hydrogen bonding, van der Waals, or other interactions) theformed particles using standard chemical techniques.

Compositions

The present invention contemplates an inventive conjugated lipomer as acomponent of a composition which may be useful in a variety of medicaland non-medical applications. For example, pharmaceutical compositionscomprising an inventive conjugated lipomer may be useful in the deliveryof an effective amount of an agent to a subject in need thereof.Nutraceutical compositions comprising an inventive conjugated lipomermay be useful in the delivery of an effective amount of a nutraceutical,e.g., a dietary supplement, to a subject in need thereof. Cosmeticcompositions comprising an inventive conjugated lipomer may beformulated as a cream, ointment, balm, paste, film, or liquid, etc., andmay be useful in the application of make-up, hair products, andmaterials useful for personal hygiene, etc. Compositions comprising aninventive conjugated lipomer may be useful for non-medical applications,e.g., such as an emulsion or emulsifier, useful, for example, as a foodcomponent, for extinguishing fires, for disinfecting surfaces, for oilcleanup, etc.

In certain embodiments, the composition comprises one or more conjugatedlipomers of the present invention. “One or more conjugated lipomers”refers to one or more different types of conjugated lipomers included inthe composition, and encompasses 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or moredifferent types of conjugated lipomers.

In certain embodiments, the inventive conjugated lipomers are useful ascompositions, either for delivery of an effective amount of an agent toa subject in need thereof (e.g., a pharmaceutical composition, acosmetic composition) or for use as an excipient. For example, cosmeticcompositions may further use the inventive lipomers as excipients ratherthan as a delivery system encapsulating an agent to be delivered. Incertain embodiments, the composition is a pharmaceutical composition. Incertain embodiments, the composition is a cosmetic composition.

In certain embodiments, the composition further comprises an agent, asdescribed herein. For example, in certain embodiments, the agent is asmall molecule, organometallic compound, nucleic acid, protein, peptide,polynucleotide, metal, targeting agent, an isotopically labeled chemicalcompound, drug, vaccine, or immunological agent. In certain embodiments,the agent is a polynucleotide. In certain embodiments, thepolynucleotide is DNA or RNA. In certain embodiments, the RNA is RNAi,dsRNA, siRNA, shRNA, miRNA, or antisense RNA.

In certain embodiments, the polynucleotide and the one or moreconjugated lipomers are not covalently attached.

In certain embodiments, the one or more conjugated lipomers are in theform of a particle. In certain embodiments, the particle is ananoparticle or microparticle. In certain embodiments, the one or moreconjugated lipomers are in the form of liposomes or micelles. It isunderstood that, in certain embodiments, these conjugated lipomersself-assemble to provide a particle, micelle or liposome. In certainembodiments, the particle, liposome, or micelle encapsulates an agent.The agent to be delivered by the particles, liposomes, or micelles maybe in the form of a gas, liquid, or solid. The inventive conjugatedlipomers may be combined with polymers (synthetic or natural),surfactants, cholesterol, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids etc. to formthe particles. These particles may be combined with an excipient to formpharmaceutical and cosmetic compositions.

Once the complexes, micelles, liposomes, or particles have beenprepared, they may be combined with one or more excipients to form acomposition that is suitable to administer to animals including humans.

As would be appreciated by one of skill in this art, the excipients maybe chosen based on the route of administration as described below, theagent being delivered, time course of delivery of the agent, etc.

In certain embodiments, provided is a composition comprising aninventive conjugated lipomer and, optionally, an excipient. As usedherein, the term “excipient” means a non-toxic, inert solid, semi-solidor liquid filler, diluent, encapsulating material or formulationauxiliary of any type. Some examples of materials which can serve asexcipients include, but are not limited to, sugars such as lactose,glucose, and sucrose; starches such as corn starch and potato starch;cellulose and its derivatives such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose,ethyl cellulose, and cellulose acetate; powdered tragacanth; malt;gelatin; talc; excipients such as cocoa butter and suppository waxes;oils such as peanut oil, cottonseed oil; safflower oil; sesame oil;olive oil; corn oil and soybean oil; glycols such as propylene glycol;esters such as ethyl oleate and ethyl laurate; agar; detergents such asTween 80; buffering agents such as magnesium hydroxide and aluminumhydroxide; alginic acid; pyrogen-free water; isotonic saline; Ringer'ssolution; ethyl alcohol; and phosphate buffer solutions, as well asother non-toxic compatible lubricants such as sodium lauryl sulfate andmagnesium stearate, as well as coloring agents, releasing agents,coating agents, sweetening, flavoring and perfuming agents,preservatives and antioxidants can also be present in the composition,according to the judgment of the formulator. The compositions of thisinvention can be administered to humans and/or to animals, orally,rectally, parenterally, intracisternally, intravaginally, intranasally,intraperitoneally, topically (as by powders, creams, ointments, ordrops), bucally, or as an oral or nasal spray.

Liquid dosage forms for oral administration include emulsions,microemulsions, solutions, suspensions, syrups, and elixirs. In additionto the active ingredients (i.e., microparticles, nanoparticles,liposomes, micelles, polynucleotide/lipid complexes), the liquid dosageforms may contain inert diluents commonly used in the art such as, forexample, water or other solvents, solubilizing agents and emulsifierssuch as ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, ethyl carbonate, ethylacetate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate, propylene glycol, 1,3-butyleneglycol, dimethylformamide, oils (in particular, cottonseed, groundnut,corn, germ, olive, castor, and sesame oils), glycerol,tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, polyethylene glycols and fatty acid estersof sorbitan, and mixtures thereof. Besides inert diluents, the oralcompositions can also include adjuvants such as wetting agents,emulsifying and suspending agents, sweetening, flavoring, and perfumingagents.

Injectable preparations, for example, sterile injectable aqueous oroleaginous suspensions may be formulated according to the known artusing suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents. Thesterile injectable preparation may also be a sterile injectablesolution, suspension, or emulsion in a nontoxic parenterally acceptablediluent or solvent, for example, as a solution in 1,3-butanediol. Amongthe acceptable vehicles and solvents that may be employed are water,Ringer's solution, U.S.P. and isotonic sodium chloride solution. Inaddition, sterile, fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solventor suspending medium. For this purpose any bland fixed oil can beemployed including synthetic mono- or diglycerides. In addition, fattyacids such as oleic acid are used in the preparation of injectables. Incertain embodiments, the particles are suspended in a carrier fluidcomprising 1% (w/v) sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and 0.1% (v/v) Tween80.

The injectable formulations can be sterilized, for example, byfiltration through a bacteria-retaining filter, or by incorporatingsterilizing agents in the form of sterile solid compositions which canbe dissolved or dispersed in sterile water or other sterile injectablemedium prior to use.

Compositions for rectal or vaginal administration are preferablysuppositories which can be prepared by mixing the particles withsuitable non-irritating excipients or carriers such as cocoa butter,polyethylene glycol, or a suppository wax which are solid at ambienttemperature but liquid at body temperature and therefore melt in therectum or vaginal cavity and release the particles.

Solid dosage forms for oral administration include capsules, tablets,pills, powders, and granules. In such solid dosage forms, the particlesare mixed with at least one inert, pharmaceutically acceptable excipientor carrier such as sodium citrate or dicalcium phosphate and/or a)fillers or extenders such as starches, lactose, sucrose, glucose,mannitol, and silicic acid, b) binders such as, for example,carboxymethylcellulose, alginates, gelatin, polyvinylpyrrolidinone,sucrose, and acacia, c) humectants such as glycerol, d) disintegratingagents such as agar-agar, calcium carbonate, potato or tapioca starch,alginic acid, certain silicates, and sodium carbonate, e) solutionretarding agents such as paraffin, f) absorption accelerators such asquaternary ammonium compounds, g) wetting agents such as, for example,cetyl alcohol and glycerol monostearate, h) absorbents such as kaolinand bentonite clay, and i) lubricants such as talc, calcium stearate,magnesium stearate, solid polyethylene glycols, sodium lauryl sulfate,and mixtures thereof. In the case of capsules, tablets, and pills, thedosage form may also comprise buffering agents.

Solid compositions of a similar type may also be employed as fillers insoft and hard-filled gelatin capsules using such excipients as lactoseor milk sugar as well as high molecular weight polyethylene glycols andthe like.

The solid dosage forms of tablets, dragees, capsules, pills, andgranules can be prepared with coatings and shells such as entericcoatings and other coatings well known in the pharmaceutical formulatingart. They may optionally contain opacifying agents and can also be of acomposition that they release the active ingredient(s) only, orpreferentially, in a certain part of the intestinal tract, optionally,in a delayed manner. Examples of embedding compositions which can beused include polymeric substances and waxes.

Solid compositions of a similar type may also be employed as fillers insoft and hard-filled gelatin capsules using such excipients as lactoseor milk sugar as well as high molecular weight polyethylene glycols andthe like.

Dosage forms for topical or transdermal administration of an inventivepharmaceutical composition include ointments, pastes, creams, lotions,gels, powders, solutions, sprays, inhalants, or patches. The particlesare admixed under sterile conditions with a pharmaceutically acceptablecarrier and any needed preservatives or buffers as may be required.Ophthalmic formulation, ear drops, and eye drops are also contemplatedas being within the scope of this invention.

The ointments, pastes, creams, and gels may contain, in addition to theparticles of this invention, excipients such as animal and vegetablefats, oils, waxes, paraffins, starch, tragacanth, cellulose derivatives,polyethylene glycols, silicones, bentonites, silicic acid, talc, andzinc oxide, or mixtures thereof.

Powders and sprays can contain, in addition to the particles of thisinvention, excipients such as lactose, talc, silicic acid, aluminumhydroxide, calcium silicates, and polyamide powder, or mixtures of thesesubstances. Sprays can additionally contain customary propellants suchas chlorofluorohydrocarbons.

Transdermal patches have the added advantage of providing controlleddelivery of a compound to the body. Such dosage forms can be made bydissolving or dispensing the microparticles or nanoparticles in a propermedium. Absorption enhancers can also be used to increase the flux ofthe compound across the skin. The rate can be controlled by eitherproviding a rate controlling membrane or by dispersing the particles ina polymer matrix or gel.

Methods of Use

In another aspect, provided are methods of using the inventiveconjugated lipomers, e.g., for the treatment of a disease, disorder orcondition from which a subject suffers. It is contemplated that theinventive conjugated lipomers will be useful in the treatment of avariety of diseases, disorders or conditions, especially as a system fordelivering agents useful in the treatment of that particular disease,disorder or condition.

For example, in one aspect, provided is a method of treating cancercomprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effectiveamount of a conjugated lipomer of the present invention, e.g., aconjugated lipomer of the Formula (II) or (IV), or salt thereof, or acomposition thereof. In certain embodiments, the method furthercomprises administering an anti-cancer agent. In certain embodiments,the conjugated lipomer encapsulates the anti-cancer agent. In certainembodiments, the conjugated lipomer and the anti-cancer agent form aparticle (e.g., a nanoparticle, a microparticle, a micelle, a liposome,a lipoplex).

A “subject” to which administration is contemplated includes, but is notlimited to, humans (i.e., a male or female of any age group, e.g., apediatric subject (e.g, infant, child, adolescent) or adult subject(e.g., young adult, middle-aged adult or senior adult)) and/or othernon-human animals, for example mammals (e.g., primates (e.g., cynomolgusmonkeys, rhesus monkeys); commercially relevant mammals such as cattle,pigs, horses, sheep, goats, cats, and/or dogs), birds (e.g.,commercially relevant birds such as chickens, ducks, geese, and/orturkeys), reptiles, amphibians, and fish. In certain embodiments, thenon-human animal is a mammal. The non-human animal may be a male orfemale and at any stage of development. A non-human animal may be atransgenic animal.

As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the terms “treat,”“treating” and “treatment” contemplate an action that occurs while asubject is suffering from the specified disease, disorder or condition,which reduces the severity of the disease, disorder or condition, orretards or slows the progression of the disease, disorder or condition(“therapeutic treatment”), and also contemplates an action that occursbefore a subject begins to suffer from the specified disease, disorderor condition (“prophylactic treatment”).

In general, the “effective amount” of a compound refers to an amountsufficient to elicit the desired biological response. As will beappreciated by those of ordinary skill in this art, the effective amountof a compound of the invention may vary depending on such factors as thedesired biological endpoint, the pharmacokinetics of the compound, thedisease being treated, the mode of administration, and the age, health,and condition of the subject. An effective amount encompassestherapeutic and prophylactic treatment.

As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, a “therapeuticallyeffective amount” of a compound is an amount sufficient to provide atherapeutic benefit in the treatment of a disease, disorder orcondition, or to delay or minimize one or more symptoms associated withthe disease, disorder or condition. A therapeutically effective amountof a compound means an amount of therapeutic agent, alone or incombination with other therapies, which provides a therapeutic benefitin the treatment of the disease, disorder or condition. The term“therapeutically effective amount” can encompass an amount that improvesoverall therapy, reduces or avoids symptoms or causes of disease orcondition, or enhances the therapeutic efficacy of another therapeuticagent.

As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, a “prophylacticallyeffective amount” of a compound is an amount sufficient to prevent adisease, disorder or condition, or one or more symptoms associated withthe disease, disorder or condition, or prevent its recurrence. Aprophylactically effective amount of a compound means an amount of atherapeutic agent, alone or in combination with other agents, whichprovides a prophylactic benefit in the prevention of the disease,disorder or condition. The term “prophylactically effective amount” canencompass an amount that improves overall prophylaxis or enhances theprophylactic efficacy of another prophylactic agent.

Exemplary cancers include, but are not limited to, acoustic neuroma,adenocarcinoma, adrenal gland cancer, anal cancer, angiosarcoma (e.g.,lymphangiosarcoma, lymphangioendotheliosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma),appendix cancer, benign monoclonal gammopathy, biliary cancer (e.g.,cholangiocarcinoma), bladder cancer, breast cancer (e.g., adenocarcinomaof the breast, papillary carcinoma of the breast, mammary cancer,medullary carcinoma of the breast), brain cancer (e.g., meningioma;glioma, e.g., astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma; medulloblastoma), bronchuscancer, carcinoid tumor, cervical cancer (e.g., cervicaladenocarcinoma), choriocarcinoma, chordoma, craniopharyngioma,colorectal cancer (e.g., colon cancer, rectal cancer, colorectaladenocarcinoma), epithelial carcinoma, ependymoma, endotheliosarcoma(e.g., Kaposi′s sarcoma, multiple idiopathic hemorrhagic sarcoma),endometrial cancer (e.g., uterine cancer, uterine sarcoma), esophagealcancer (e.g., adenocarcinoma of the esophagus, Barrett's adenocarinoma),Ewing sarcoma, eye cancer (e.g., intraocular melanoma, retinoblastoma),familiar hypereosinophilia, gall bladder cancer, gastric cancer (e.g.,stomach adenocarcinoma), gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), head andneck cancer (e.g., head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, oral cancer(e.g., oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), throat cancer (e.g.,laryngeal cancer, pharyngeal cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer,oropharyngeal cancer)), hematopoietic cancers (e.g., leukemia such asacute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) (e.g., B-cell ALL, T-cell ALL), acutemyelocytic leukemia (AML) (e.g., B-cell AML, T-cell AML), chronicmyelocytic leukemia (CML) (e.g., B-cell CML, T-cell CML), and chroniclymphocytic leukemia (CLL) (e.g., B-cell CLL, T-cell CLL); lymphoma suchas Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) (e.g., B-cell HL, T-cell HL) and non-Hodgkinlymphoma (NHL) (e.g., B-cell NHL such as diffuse large cell lymphoma(DLCL) (e.g., diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)), follicularlymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma(CLL/SLL), mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), marginal zone B-cell lymphomas(e.g., mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas, nodalmarginal zone B-cell lymphoma, splenic marginal zone B-cell lymphoma),primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma, Burkitt lymphoma, lymphoplasmacyticlymphoma (i.e., “Waldenström's macroglobulinemia”), hairy cell leukemia(HCL), immunoblastic large cell lymphoma, precursor B-lymphoblasticlymphoma and primary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma; and T-cellNHL such as precursor T-lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukemia, peripheralT-cell lymphoma (PTCL) (e.g., cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) (e.g.,mycosis fungiodes, Sezary syndrome), angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma,extranodal natural killer T-cell lymphoma, enteropathy type T-celllymphoma, subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma, anaplasticlarge cell lymphoma); a mixture of one or more leukemia/lymphoma asdescribed above; and multiple myeloma (MM)), heavy chain disease (e.g.,alpha chain disease, gamma chain disease, mu chain disease),hemangioblastoma, inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors, immunocyticamyloidosis, kidney cancer (e.g., nephroblastoma a.k.a. Wilms' tumor,renal cell carcinoma), liver cancer (e.g., hepatocellular cancer (HCC),malignant hepatoma), lung cancer (e.g., bronchogenic carcinoma, smallcell lung cancer (SCLC), nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC),adenocarcinoma of the lung), leiomyosarcoma (LMS), mastocytosis (e.g.,systemic mastocytosis), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), mesothelioma,myeloproliferative disorder (MPD) (e.g., polycythemia Vera (PV),essential thrombocytosis (ET), agnogenic myeloid metaplasia (AMM) a.k.a.myelofibrosis (MF), chronic idiopathic myelofibrosis, chronic myelocyticleukemia (CML), chronic neutrophilic leukemia (CNL), hypereosinophilicsyndrome (HES)), neuroblastoma, neurofibroma (e.g., neurofibromatosis(NF) type 1 or type 2, schwannomatosis), neuroendocrine cancer (e.g.,gastroenteropancreatic neuroendoctrine tumor (GEP-NET), carcinoidtumor), osteosarcoma, ovarian cancer (e.g., cystadenocarcinoma, ovarianembryonal carcinoma, ovarian adenocarcinoma), papillary adenocarcinoma,pancreatic cancer (e.g., pancreatic andenocarcinoma, intraductalpapillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN), Islet cell tumors), penile cancer(e.g., Paget's disease of the penis and scrotum), pinealoma, primitiveneuroectodermal tumor (PNT), prostate cancer (e.g., prostateadenocarcinoma), rectal cancer, rhabdomyosarcoma, salivary gland cancer,skin cancer (e.g., squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), keratoacanthoma (KA),melanoma, basal cell carcinoma (BCC)), small bowel cancer (e.g.,appendix cancer), soft tissue sarcoma (e.g., malignant fibroushistiocytoma (MFH), liposarcoma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor(MPNST), chondrosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, myxosarcoma), sebaceous glandcarcinoma, sweat gland carcinoma, synovioma, testicular cancer (e.g.,seminoma, testicular embryonal carcinoma), thyroid cancer (e.g.,papillary carcinoma of the thyroid, papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC),medullary thyroid cancer), urethral cancer, vaginal cancer and vulvarcancer (e.g., Paget's disease of the vulva).

Anti-cancer agents encompass biotherapeutic anti-cancer agents as wellas chemotherapeutic agents.

Exemplary biotherapeutic anti-cancer agents include, but are not limitedto, interferons, cytokines (e.g., tumor necrosis factor, interferon a,interferon y), vaccines, hematopoietic growth factors, monoclonalserotherapy, immunostimulants and/or immunodulatory agents (e.g., IL-1,2, 4, 6, or 12), immune cell growth factors (e.g., GM-CSF) andantibodies (e.g. HERCEPTIN (trastuzumab), T-DM1, AVASTIN (bevacizumab),ERBITUX (cetuximab), VECTIBIX (panitumumab), RITUXAN (rituximab), BEXXAR(tositumomab)).

Exemplary chemotherapeutic agents include, but are not limited to,anti-estrogens (e.g. tamoxifen, raloxifene, and megestrol), LHRHagonists (e.g. goserelin and leuprolide), anti-androgens (e.g. flutamideand bicalutamide), photodynamic therapies (e.g. vertoporfin (BPD-MA),phthalocyanine, photosensitizer Pc4, and demethoxy-hypocrellin A(2BA-2-DMHA)), nitrogen mustards (e.g. cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide,trofosfamide, chlorambucil, estramustine, and melphalan), nitrosoureas(e.g. carmustine (BCNU) and lomustine (CCNU)), alkylsulphonates (e.g.busulfan and treosulfan), triazenes (e.g. dacarbazine, temozolomide),platinum containing compounds (e.g. cisplatin, carboplatin,oxaliplatin), vinca alkaloids (e.g. vincristine, vinblastine, vindesine,and vinorelbine), taxoids (e.g. paclitaxel or a paclitaxel equivalentsuch as nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (ABRAXANE),docosahexaenoic acid bound-paclitaxel (DHA-paclitaxel, Taxoprexin),polyglutamate bound-paclitaxel (PG-paclitaxel, paclitaxel poliglumex,CT-2103, XYOTAX), the tumor-activated prodrug (TAP) ANG1005 (Angiopep-2bound to three molecules of paclitaxel), paclitaxel-EC-1 (paclitaxelbound to the erbB2-recognizing peptide EC-1), and glucose-conjugatedpaclitaxel, e.g., 2′-paclitaxel methyl 2-glucopyranosyl succinate;docetaxel, taxol), epipodophyllins (e.g. etoposide, etoposide phosphate,teniposide, topotecan, 9-aminocamptothecin, camptoirinotecan,irinotecan, crisnatol, mytomycin C), anti-metabolites, DHFR inhibitors(e.g. methotrexate, dichloromethotrexate, trimetrexate, edatrexate), IMPdehydrogenase inhibitors (e.g. mycophenolic acid, tiazofurin, ribavirin,and EICAR), ribonucleotide reductase inhibitors (e.g. hydroxyurea anddeferoxamine), uracil analogs (e.g. 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), floxuridine,doxifluridine, ratitrexed, tegafur-uracil, capecitabine), cytosineanalogs (e.g. cytarabine (ara C), cytosine arabinoside, andfludarabine), purine analogs (e.g. mercaptopurine and Thioguanine),Vitamin D3 analogs (e.g. EB 1089, CB 1093, and KH 1060), isoprenylationinhibitors (e.g. lovastatin), dopaminergic neurotoxins (e.g.1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion), cell cycle inhibitors (e.g.staurosporine), actinomycin (e.g. actinomycin D, dactinomycin),bleomycin (e.g. bleomycin A2, bleomycin B2, peplomycin), anthracycline(e.g. daunorubicin, doxorubicin, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin,idarubicin, epirubicin, pirarubicin, zorubicin, mitoxantrone), MDRinhibitors (e.g. verapamil), Ca²⁺ ATPase inhibitors (e.g. thapsigargin),imatinib, thalidomide, lenalidomide, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g.,axitinib (AG013736), bosutinib (SKI-606), cediranib (RECENTIN™,AZD2171), dasatinib (SPRYCEL®, BMS-354825), erlotinib (TARCEVA®),gefitinib (IRESSA®), imatinib (Gleevec®, CGP57148B, STI-571), lapatinib(TYKERB®, TYVERB®), lestaurtinib (CEP-701), neratinib (HKI-272),nilotinib (TASIGNA®), semaxanib (semaxinib, SU5416), sunitinib (SUTENT®,SU11248), toceranib (PALLADIA®), vandetanib (ZACTIMA®, ZD6474),vatalanib (PTK787, PTK/ZK), trastuzumab (HERCEPTIN®), bevacizumab(AVASTIN®), rituximab (RITUXAN®), cetuximab (ERBITUX®), panitumumab(VECTIBIX®), ranibizumab (Lucentis®), nilotinib (TASIGNA®), sorafenib(NEXAVAR®), everolimus (AFINITOR®), alemtuzumab (CAMPATH®), gemtuzumabozogamicin (MYLOTARG®), temsirolimus (TORISEL®), ENMD-2076, PCI-32765,AC220, dovitinib lactate (TKI258, CHIR-258), BIBW 2992 (TOVOK™), SGX523,PF-04217903, PF-02341066, PF-299804, BMS-777607, ABT-869, MP470, BIBF1120 (VARGATEF®), AP24534, JNJ-26483327, MGCD265, DCC-2036, BMS-690154,CEP-11981, tivozanib (AV-951), OSI-930, MM-121, XL-184, XL-647, and/orXL228), proteasome inhibitors (e.g., bortezomib (VELCADE)), mTORinhibitors (e.g., rapamycin, temsirolimus (CCI-779), everolimus(RAD-001), ridaforolimus, AP23573 (Ariad), AZD8055 (AstraZeneca), BEZ235(Novartis), BGT226 (Norvartis), XL765 (Sanofi Aventis), PF-4691502(Pfizer), GDC0980 (Genetech), SF1126 (Semafoe) and OSI-027 (OSI)),oblimersen, gemcitabine, carminomycin, leucovorin, pemetrexed,cyclophosphamide, dacarbazine, procarbizine, prednisolone,dexamethasone, campathecin, plicamycin, asparaginase, aminopterin,methopterin, porfiromycin, melphalan, leurosidine, leurosine,chlorambucil, trabectedin, procarbazine, discodermolide, carminomycinaminopterin, and hexamethyl melamine.

EXAMPLES

In order that the invention described herein may be more fullyunderstood, the following examples are set forth. It should beunderstood that these examples are for illustrative purposes only andare not to be construed as limiting this invention in any manner.

Library Synthesis

The inventive lipomers were synthesized using (i) a polymer PEI backbonea linear PEI with a molecular weight of 600 (LPEI₆₀₀); a branched PEIwith a molecular weight of 600 (BPEI₆₀₀); a branched PEI with amolecular weight of 1800 (BPEI₁₈₀₀); or (ii) macrocycles comprisingamino groups (e.g., aza-crown macrocycles). In each instance, thebackbone was chemically modified with alkyl tails and/or PEG polymers bydirect alkylation of one or more amino groups. Four structuralparameters were varied in the screen: the number of alkyl tails and/orPEG polymers per backbone, and the length of the alkyl groups and/or PEGpolymer per backbone. More specifically, the number of alkyl tails perbackbone were varied from 0 to 43 alkyl groups per backbone or from 0 to4 alkyl groups per macrocycle, while the number of PEG polymer permolecule ranged from 0.1 to 0.3 per backbone or macrocycle. Theresulting lipomer library was screened for in vitro efficacy against onemurine cancer cell line (qBEND.3), two human cancer cell lines (HeLa orHCT-116), and one primary human cell line (HMVEC). Seventeen lipomerswere found to reduce gene expression in vitro by more than 80% at dosesof 30 nM with negligible toxicity. These lipomers were then tested forsystemic in vivo delivery in two animal models: a Factor 7 liverdelivery model and a hepatocellular carcinoma tumor model. The in vivodata demonstrated that these new lipomers can deliver siRNA effectivelyin animals.

PEI polymers and aza-macrocycles (FIG. 1A) were conjugated to alkyl andPEG polymers via an epoxide ring-opening reaction shown in FIG. 1B.LPEI₆₀₀, BPEI₆₀₀, BPEI₁₈₀₀ or aza-macrocycles were reacted with epoxideswith alkyl chains having lengths between 10 and 18 carbons, inclusive.The reaction took place in 100% EtOH for 48-72 hours in capped glassvials at a temperature of about 90° C. After 48-72 hours, the solutionwas removed from the hotplate and the ethanol was removed via vacuumevaporation. In some of the reactions, LPEI₆₀₀, BPEI₆₀₀, BPEI₁₈₀₀ or theaza-macrocycles were also simultaneously alkylated with PEG₁₀₀₀(PEG_(1K)), PEG₂₀₀₀ (PEG_(2K)) or a 1:1 mixture of PEG_(1K) and PEG_(2K)(PEG_(1.5K)). This synthesis is ideal for high-throughput screeningsince it does not require protection/deprotection steps, organicsolvents or complex environmental conditions (Love et al. Proc Natl AcadSci USA (2010) 107:1864-1869).

Table 3 lists the theoretical molecular weight, molar ratios, number ofbackbone nitrogens and nitrogen: phosphate ratios of compounds.

TABLE 3 Lipomer: Lipomer: siRNAMass siRNA Mole Backbone N:P Molar MassRatio Ratio Nitrogens Ratio 7C1 3764.00 15.00 53.00 14.00 17.67 7H62667.00 15.00 74.80 14.00 24.93 7H4 2524.00 15.00 79.04 14.00 26.35 2C64603.28 15.00 43.34 43.00 44.37 7h8 2960.00 15.00 67.40 14.00 22.47 7G2808.00 15.00 246.91 4.00 23.51 7B2 9620.00 15.00 20.74 43.00 21.23 4D1750.00 15.00 266.00 4.00 25.33 4C8 934.00 15.00 213.60 4.00 20.34 7I14102.00 15.00 48.63 14.00 16.21 6c8 1056.00 15.00 188.92 4.00 17.99 7F10890.00 15.00 224.16 4.00 21.35 6B10 888.00 15.00 224.66 4.00 21.40 4c4850.00 15.00 234.71 4.00 22.35 4C5 1062.00 15.00 187.85 4.00 17.89 4C3638.00 15.00 312.70 4.00 29.78

Reagents

BPEI with a number molecular weight (M_(n)) of 600 and a weightmolecular weight (M_(w)) of 800 of (BPEI₆₀₀) was purchased from SigmaAldrich (catalog number 408719). BPEI with a M_(n) of 1800 and M_(w) of2000 (BPEI₁₈₀₀) was purchased from Alfa Aesar (catalog number 40528).

Aza-macrocycles were purchased from Sigma Aldrich and Alfa Aesar(1,4,8,12 Tetraazacyclopentadecane TCI Catalog number 1691 or SigmaAldrich Catalog Number 259512, 1,4,10,13-Tetraoxa-7,16-DiaazacyclooctadeSigma Aldrich Catalog Number 295809, 1,4,8,11 TetraazacyclotetradecaneTCI Catalog Number T1597, 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane TCI CatalogNumber T1874.

The following epoxides were purchased from Sigma Aldrich or TCI America:1,2-epoxydecane TCI Catalog number E0315 or Sigma Aldrich Catalog Number260339, 1,2-epoxydodecane TCI Catalog number D1984 or Sigma AldrichCatalog Number 260207, 1,2-epoxytetradecane TCI Catalog number E0314 orSigma Aldrich Catalog Number 260266, 1,2-epoxyhexadecane TCI Catalognumber E0316 or Sigma Aldrich Catalog Number 260215, 1,2-epoxyoctadecaneTCI Catalog number E0313 or Sigma Aldrich Catalog Number 260231.

PEG₁₀₀₀ and PEG₂₀₀₀ were purchased from Creative Pegworks.

In Vitro Screening

Following synthesis, the ability to specifically reduce gene expressionin vitro was tested against four cell lines; HeLa cells (ATCC, Manassas,Va.) transfected by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals to express both Renilla andFirefly luciferase, HCT-116 human colorectal cells (Caliper LifeSciences) transfected to express Firefly luciferase, and qBEND.3 murineendothelial cells and HMVEC primary human endothelial cells, bothexpressing the endothelial marker Tie2 (Akine et al. Nat Biotechnol(2008) 26:561-569). Lipomers were complexed with anti-Firefly luciferasesiRNA (siLuc) (Dharmacon, Boulder, Colo.) or anti-Tie2 siRNA (siTie2)(Alnylam, Cambridge, Mass.) by incubating the lipomer with siRNA in 25mMol NaAc with a pH of 5.2. The siRNA and lipomers were bound viaelectrostatic interactions between the negative phosphate backbone ofthe siRNA and the protonated amine backbone. GapDH siRNA (siGap)(Alnylam, Cambridge, Mass.) was used as a control for Tie2 expression.More specifically, lipomers were conjugated with siTie2 or siGap. Tie2expression was measured using both complexes and successful compoundswere those that reduced Tie2 expression Both Tie2 and GapDH Morespecifically, and compounds that reduced Tie2 expression even whenconjugated to GapDH were considered toxic. Similarly, HeLa cell toxicitywas tested by measuring both (targeted) Firefly luciferase and (control)Renilla Luciferase. Successful compounds reduced target gene expressionand did not influence control gene expression.

The in vitro screen was initiated by seeding cells onto a 96 well plateat a density of 15,000 cells/well. Twenty-four hours later, 30 nMlipomer-siRNA solution was placed in each well. The mixture wasincubated overnight at 37° C. and 5% CO₂. Luciferase and Renilla geneexpression was then tested using luminescence (Dual Glow Assay, Promega,Madison, Wis.) while Tie2 expression was measured using a Quantigene 2.0BDNA assay (Panomics, Santa Clara, Calif.). Compounds were consideredsuccessful if they reduced target gene expression by more than 80% whileoff-target gene knockdown was less than 20%. In most cases, successfulcandidates reduced off-target gene expression by less than 10%.

Since polymer: siRNA mass ratio has been shown to influence the deliveryof genetic material, the library was screened at lipomer: siRNA massratios of 2.5, 5, 10 and 15 (FIG. 2). During mass ratio studies, theamount of lipomer changed while the amount of siRNA remained constantsuch that the siRNA molarity was 30 nM. Compounds effective against HeLacells were tested for efficacy against endothelial cells at a dose of 30nM, as shown in FIG. 3. Following the initial screening of the library,a subset of effective compounds was tested for dose response. Thelipomer:siRNA mass ratio was maintained at 15:1 while the amount ofmolarity of the solution decreased from 30 nM to 0.4 nM. These resultsare shown in FIG. 4.

The mechanism of cellular uptake was then studied using fluorescentlylabeled siRNA. Briefly, cells can envelop external particles via avariety of different mechanisms. Each uptake mechanism results indifferent physiological processes. For this reason, identifying thespecific uptake mechanism is important for nanoparticle delivery (Sahayet al., J. Controlled Release (2010) 145:182-195). Fortunately, mostpathways are identifiable via canonical molecules present during theiractivation. In this case, the caveolae-mediated pathway was identifiedby the presence of a molecule termed cholera toxin B. Specifically, HeLanuclei (blue), cholera toxin B (green) and Cysteine-5 tagged siRNA(siCy5) (red) were stained concurrently after Cy5 tagged siRNA wasconjugated to compound 6B10. It was confirmed by the overlap between thered Cy5 siRNA and cholera toxin B that some molecules were taken up viacaveolae-mediated endocytosis.

In Vivo Formulation and Physical Characterization

All in vivo experiments were reviewed and approved by the MITInstitutional Animal Care and Welfare Committee and were conducted inthe MIT division of comparative medicine. Using in vitro screeningdescribed above, approximately 20 compounds were identified as leadingcandidates for in vivo analysis. To test the compounds in vivo, lipomerswere diluted in 100% EtOH and mixed with C₁₆-PEG (Aniara, Wilmington,Ohio) and cholesterol (Sigma Aldrich, St. Louis, Mo.) such that Lipomer:PEG: cholesterol molar ratios were 100:25:35. In another study, lipomerswere diluted in 100% EtOH and combined with cholesterol, but notC₁₆-PEG. Particles, in 25 mMol buffered sodium acetate (pH 5.3), wereextruded using a 10 mL Lipex extruder (Northern Lipids, Canada) at 40°C. through 50 nm pore-size polycarbonate membranes until sizedistribution was uniform. siRNA was then added to the lipomer dispersionfor 30 minutes, facilitating electrostatic interactions that led tosiRNA complexation. Then, lipomers were dialyzed against 1× PBS (pH 7.4)for 75 minutes to remove unbound siRNA and excess acetate. Particle sizeand charge were measured immediately after mixing with PEG andcholesterol, after conjugation to siRNA, and after dialysis. Particlesize was measured with dynamic light scattering (DLS) and surface chargewas estimated using zeta potential analysis (Zetapals, BrookhavenInstruments, Holtsville, N.Y.). Finally, to measure the stability ofparticles after conjugation of siRNA, compound size was measured 1 hour,3 hours, 6 hours and 18 hours after formulation at 37° C., 25° C., 4° C.and −20° C. Both size and stability are shown in FIG. 5A-5B.

After dialysis, samples were injected into one of two animal models. Inthe first model, lipomers with anti-Factor 7 siRNA were injected to8-wk-old Fox Chase female mice (Charles River, Boston, Mass.). 48 hoursafter injection, blood serum was collected and analyzed for Factor 7expression (Biophen, Aniara, Mason, Ohio). Serum Factor 7 levels werecompared to mice injected with PBS (see FIGS. 6, 7, and 8).

In a second study, 8 to 12-week-old Fox Chase female mice, bearing a ˜1cm luciferase-expressing HEPg2 tumor in the flank, were injected withanti-LUC siRNA. Before, and 72 hr after intravenous siRNA administration(dosed at 2.0 mg/kg). Luciferase expression was measured by injecting150 mg/kg D-luciferin ip (XenoLight Rediject D-Luciferin Ultra, CaliperLife Sciences, Hopkinton, Mass.) and recording luminescence with an IVISSpectrum (Xenogen-Calipers Life Science). Reduction in luciferaseexpression was determined by comparing luciferase expression pre- andpost-siRNA treatment (see FIGS. 9A-9B).

Finally, the biodistribution of three different successful compounds(7H6, 7I1 and 3I7) was evaluated using Cy5.5 labeled siRNA (AllStarsControl siRNA, Qiagen, Valencia, Calif.). Mice were injected with Cy5.5siRNA (2.5 mg/kg) via the tail vein and sacrificed 1 or 14 hours later.Major organs were harvested and fluorescently imaged at 670 (ex. 670 nm,em. 710 nm) using an IVIS imaging system (see FIGS. 10A-10B).

The Factor 7 siRNA was provided by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals and had asense sequence of 5′-GGAucAucucAAGucuuAcT*T-3′ (SEQ ID NO 1) aspreviously reported (Akine, A. et al. Nature Biotechnology 26, 561-569).The Cy5-tagged siRNA was purchased from Qiagen and had a proprietarysequence (Product Number 1027297). The Luciferase targeting siRNA waspurchased from Dharmacon and had a proprietary sequence (Product NumberD-002050-0120).

Results

To identify compounds that effectively transfect multiple cell lines invitro, 750 lipomers were screened against HeLa and HCT-116 cells. Sincelipomer: siRNA mass ratios have been related in other studies to bothefficacy and toxicity, the library was screened at lipomer: siRNA massratios of 2.5, 5, 10 and 15. Slightly less than 5% of the compoundstransfected HeLa cells effectively, as shown qualitatively in FIG. 2Aand quantitatively in FIG. 2B. Furthermore, lipomer: siRNA mass ratiosof 10 and 15 were found to be most efficacious (FIG. 2A), while FIG. 2Bindicates that at these ratios off-target effects (i.e., any decrease inRenilla luciferase expression) are negligible.

Compounds found to be efficacious (>80% knockdown and <20% toxicity)against HeLa cells were then screened for knockdown against primaryhuman endothelial cells and murine endothelial cells. FIG. 3 presentscompounds that were found to be highly efficacious in multiple celllines. Interestingly, the reduction in gene expression varied from onecell line to another, where, in general, primary endothelial cells wereeasier to transfect.

Compounds were then tested for in vitro siRNA dose response againstqBEND.3 cells. Increasing siRNA dosing led to decreased gene expressionin vitro (FIG. 4A). At a dose of 30 nM, gene expression was reduced byup to 95% while GapDH (i.e., control gene) expression remained constant.Compounds reduced expression by nearly 80% at a dose of 6 nM, and by 25%at 1.2 nM, suggesting a 3.4 nM siRNA (˜400 nM lipomer) dose would reducegene expression by 50%. Furthermore, off-target effects were abrogated,as shown by the constant gene expression of the GapDH control (FIG. 4B).

Compounds were then tested for in vivo efficacy against the expressionof Factor 7, a serum protein produced by the liver. In an initial study,lipomers formulated with cholesterol (but without Cm-PEG) were complexedwith anti-Factor 7 siRNA (siF7, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals) and injected tothe tail vein, at an siRNA dose of 2 mg/kg and a lipomer:siRNA massratio of 15:1 or 10:1 (FIG. 6). Analyzing Factor 7 in the blooddemonstrated more than 64% knockdown and that a 15:1 mass ratio resultedin higher knockdown. Adding C₁₆-PEG to the formulation (lipomer:cholesterol: C₁₆-PEG mole ratio 100:35:25) reduced knockdown slightly(FIGS. 7 and 8). No change in animal weight was measured in the severaldays post administration, pointing to the good in vivo tolerability ofthe compounds.

In vivo efficacy was further evaluated in a tumor model. Fox Chase micebearing subcutaneous HepG2 tumors (˜1 cm diameter) that expressFirefly-luciferase were injected with anti-Luc siRNA (1.5 mg/kg). Tumorluminescence was measured before, and 72 hr after, siRNA administration.A 51% decrease in tumor luminescence, was measured when using arepresentative efficacious compound—7H6 (FIG. 9A).

Finally, siRNA delivery systems 3I7, 7H6, and 7I1B complexingfluorescently labeled siRNA were injected to the tail vein. Theresulting biodistribution showed that siRNA accumulates in the liver,spleen, kidney and lungs and the tail of mice (FIG. 10). All compoundshad high selectivity to the liver. A significant amount of 7H6accumulated in the lungs while 7I1B also tended to accumulate in thekidneys. This suggests that different compounds can be optimized fordelivery in different organs.

Other Embodiments

All patents, patent applications, and literature references cited hereinare incorporated herein by reference.

Having now described some illustrative embodiments of the invention, itshould be apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing ismerely illustrative and not limiting, having been presented by way ofexample only. Numerous modifications and other illustrative embodimentsare within the scope of one of ordinary skill in the art and arecontemplated as falling within the scope of the invention. Inparticular, although many of the examples presented herein involvespecific combinations of method acts or system elements, it should beunderstood that those acts and those elements may be combined in otherways to accomplish the same objectives. Acts, elements, and featuresdiscussed only in connection with one embodiment are not intended to beexcluded from a similar role in other embodiments. Further, for the oneor more means-plus-function limitations recited in the following claims,the means are not intended to be limited to the means disclosed hereinfor performing the recited function, but are intended to cover in scopeany means, known now or later developed, for performing the recitedfunction. Use of terms such as “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., in theclaims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote anypriority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another or thetemporal order in which acts of a method are performed, but are usedmerely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain namefrom another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinalterm) to distinguish the claim elements. Similarly, use of a), b), etc.,or i), ii), etc. does not by itself connote any priority, precedence, ororder of steps in the claims. Similarly, the use of these terms in thespecification does not by itself connote any required priority,precedence, or order.

The foregoing written specification is considered to be sufficient toenable one skilled in the art to practice the invention. The presentinvention is not to be limited in scope by examples provided, since theexamples are intended as a single illustration of one aspect of theinvention and other functionally equivalent embodiments are within thescope of the invention. Various modifications of the invention inaddition to those shown and described herein will become apparent tothose skilled in the art from the foregoing description and fall withinthe scope of the appended claims. The advantages and objects of theinvention are not necessarily encompassed by each embodiment of theinvention.

1-21. (canceled)
 22. A conjugated lipomer of the Formula (IV):

or salt thereof; wherein: each instance of L³ is independently:

provided that the conjugated lipomer contains at least one group (vi),(vii) or (viii); each instance of R⁸ is independently hydrogen; acyl;silyl; sulfonyl; an amino protecting group; substituted or unsubstitutedalkyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl; substituted orunsubstituted alkynyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl;substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkenyl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkynyl; substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclyl; substituted orunsubstituted heterocyclyl; substituted or unsubstituted aryl;substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; or

provided the conjugated lipomer contains at least one group of theformula (iii′); each instance of R³ is independently substituted orunsubstituted alkyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl; substitutedor unsubstituted alkynyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkyl;substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkenyl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkynyl; substituted or unsubstituted carbocyclyl; substituted orunsubstituted heterocyclyl; substituted or unsubstituted aryl;substituted or unsubstituted heteroaryl; or a hydrophilic polymer; eachinstance of R⁴ is independently hydrogen, acyl; silyl; a hydroxylprotecting group; substituted or unsubstituted alkyl; substituted orunsubstituted alkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted alkynyl; substitutedor unsubstituted heteroalkyl; substituted or unsubstitutedheteroalkenyl; substituted or unsubstituted heteroalkynyl; substitutedor unsubstituted carbocyclyl; substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclyl;substituted or unsubstituted aryl; or substituted or unsubstitutedheteroaryl; each instance of m and p is independently 0, 1 or 2; q is aninteger 2, 3, or 4; and the dashed curved line, together with G and Y,is a covalent bond or a group of the formula:

wherein s is 0, 1, or
 2. 23. The conjugated lipomer of claim 22, whereineach instance of R⁸ is independently hydrogen or a group of the formula(iii′).
 24. The conjugated lipomer of claim 22, wherein each instance ofR³ is independently substituted or unsubstituted alkyl; substituted orunsubstituted heteroalkyl; or a hydrophilic polymer. 25-28. (canceled)29. The conjugated lipomer of claim 22, wherein the dashed curved line,together with G and Y, is a covalent bond.
 30. The conjugated lipomer ofclaim 22, wherein the dashed curved line, together with G and Y, a groupof the formula:

wherein s is 0, 1, or
 2. 31. The conjugated lipomer of claim 22, whereinthe dashed curved line, together with G and Y, a group of the formula:

wherein s is 0, 1, or
 2. 32. The conjugated lipomer of claim 22, whereinthe lipomer comprises at least one instance of the group of the formula(vi).
 33. The conjugated lipomer of claim 32, wherein the lipomer is ofthe Formula (VI), or (VII):

or salt thereof.
 34. The conjugated lipomer of claim 22, wherein thelipomer comprises at least one instance of the group of the formula(vii), (viii), or (ix).
 35. The conjugated lipomer of claim 34, whereinthe lipomer is of the Formula (VII) or (IX):

or salt thereof.
 36. The conjugated lipomer of claim 33, wherein theconjugated lipomer is selected from the group consisting of:

and salts thereof.
 37. A conjugated lipomer of claim 35, wherein theconjugated lipomer is selected from the group consisting of:

and salts thereof.)
 38. A composition comprising one or more conjugatedlipomers of claim 22, and, optionally, an excipient.
 39. The compositionof claim 38, wherein the composition is a pharmaceutical composition ora cosmetic composition.
 40. The composition of claim 38, wherein thecomposition further comprises an agent.
 41. The composition of claim 40,wherein the agent is an organic molecule, inorganic molecule, nucleicacid, protein, peptide, polynucleotide, targeting agent, an isotopicallylabeled chemical compound, vaccine, or an immunological agent.
 42. Thecomposition of claim 41, wherein the agent is a polynucleotide, and thepolynucleotide is DNA or RNA.
 43. The composition of claim 42, whereinthe RNA is RNAi, dsRNA, siRNA, shRNA, miRNA, or antisense RNA. 44-49.(canceled)
 50. A method of preparing a conjugated lipomer of claim 22,or salt thereof, the method comprising contacting a compound of theFormula (III), or salt thereof, with an epoxide of the formula (xii):

wherein each instance of L² is independently:

provided that the compound of Formula (III) contains at least one group(vi), (vii) or (viii); and further provided that at least one R⁸ groupis hydrogen; to provide the conjugated lipomer of the Formula (IV), orsalt thereof. 51-53. (canceled)
 54. A method of treating cancercomprising administering to a subject in need thereof an effectiveamount of a conjugated lipomer, or salt thereof, of claim 22.